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.

---

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

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

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026

The picketing machinists benefited from a strike fund while they were off the job but were under increasing pressure as healthcare coverage lapsed for some families.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

Despite the obvious danger, we continued picketing and singing.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

For most of the student demonstrators, however, nonviolence wasn’t simply another strategy such as picketing or sitting in; it was an act of faith.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• advocacy
• involvement
• militancy