picket fence

American  

noun

1. a fence consisting of pickets or pales nailed to horizontal stringers between upright posts.

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picket fence British  

noun

1. a fence consisting of pickets supported at close regular intervals by being driven into the ground, by interlacing with strong wire, or by nailing to horizontal timbers fixed to posts in the ground

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Etymology

Origin of picket fence

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

‘Gen Z would rather invest in index funds and travel the world than tie themselves to a 30-year mortgage and a picket fence.’

From MarketWatch • Nov. 25, 2025

A picket fence is trim, as are the schoolhouse’s large windows.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

Goranson: In a Connerian way — is that a new term? — no one’s getting the white picket fence in the suburbs unless it’s way in the suburbs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2025

After Thomas and Kristin married in 2010, they bought a house in Renton with a white picket fence.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 14, 2024

The church is just across the street, a white picket fence setting it off from the rest of the town.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland