picketing
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
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
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“If Augusta National wants people picketing outside their gates,” he says, “they’d stop the gnome.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
The union said it was preparing to challenge the injunction, but said it agreed to abide by the law on picketing.
From BBC • May 31, 2025
Despite the obvious danger, we continued picketing and singing.
From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025
Probably not, unless you have plans to stay at the Virgin hotel or visit its casino, in which case it’s possible you might encounter picketing workers.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 28, 2024
Charged with picketing for better hours and working conditions at a cotton mill in Newnan, Georgia, sixteen women and one hundred and twelve men were imprisoned.
From "Fannie Never Flinched" by Mary Cronk Farrell
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.