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

WGA West staffers also played a key role in the strike, as they too joined the picketing lines.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 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

Her mailbox filled with letters from suffrage sympathizers who objected to picketing during the war.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• advocacy
• involvement
• militancy