picketing

American  

[pik-it-ing] / ˈpɪk ɪt ɪŋ /

adjective

1. standing or marching, usually while holding a placard or sign, in front of a workplace, embassy, etc., as during a strike or demonstration.

   Local people have dropped off food supplies and newspapers for the picketing workers outside the plant.

2. Military, Navy, Air Force. acting as a guard in front of other troops or vessels to warn against an enemy advance.

   The enemy made us defend every inch, and it wasn’t long before our picketing troops ahead were engaged.

   The British squadrons had been weakened by the ambush on their picketing submarines.

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noun

1. the act of standing or marching with placards or signs in front of a workplace, embassy, etc., as during a strike or demonstration.

   Peace activists instituted regular picketing of the weekly cabinet meetings and held vigils throughout the country.

Etymology

Origin of picketing

First recorded in 1830–40; picket ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; picket ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

“If Augusta National wants people picketing outside their gates,” he says, “they’d stop the gnome.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Those early years were marked by bitter and sometimes brutal incidents involving picketing farm workers who screamed “ Huelga! “

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Ministers really didn't want to do that with NHS staff picketing outside the parliament.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026

Despite the obvious danger, we continued picketing and singing.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

“Our decision to reestablish picketing is prompted by the highest patriotic motives,” Paul said, arguing that the most patriotic thing women could do was to fight for inclusion in the democratic process.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• advocacy
• involvement
• militancy