picnic

American  

[pik-nik] / ˈpɪk nɪk /

noun

1. an excursion or outing in which the participants carry food with them and share a meal in the open air.

2. the food eaten on such an excursion.

3. Also called picnic ham,.  Also called picnic shoulder.  a section of pork shoulder, usually boned, smoked, and weighing 4–6 pounds.

4. Informal. an enjoyable experience or time, easy task, etc..

   Being laid up in a hospital is no picnic.

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verb (used without object)

picnicked, picnicking

1. to go on or take part in a picnic.

picnic British  

/ ˈpɪknɪk /

noun

1. a trip or excursion to the country, seaside, etc, on which people bring food to be eaten in the open air

2. 1. any informal meal eaten outside

   2. ( as modifier )

      a picnic lunch

3. informal a troublesome situation or experience

4. informal a hard or disagreeable task

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verb

1. (intr) to eat a picnic

picnic Idioms  

1. see no picnic.

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Other Word Forms

• picnicker noun

Etymology

Origin of picnic

1740–50; < German Pic-nic (now Picknick ) < French pique-nique, rhyming compound < ?

Example Sentences

I was maybe 7 or 8 and got up onstage at this massive picnic for this organization in Indianapolis called the Indiana Black Expo.

From Los Angeles Times

Over a picnic table in a field, this kind-eyed, spindly musician, visibly dealing with Parkinson’s, is informed that Sammy is the son he never knew he had.

From Los Angeles Times

Flohr, 38, says her favorite adventure is sailing on a traditional Mozambican dhow, or fishing boat, to a remote island nearby, where a picnic awaits.

From The Wall Street Journal

There was a picnic scene too, with Prince Philip and the Princess Royal seen barbecuing sausages.

From BBC

Unfortunately, he couldn’t secure the rights and scoffed at using a different show: “There’s nothing to solve in ‘Guys and Dolls’ or ‘Oklahoma!,’ except who’s going to take Laurey to the picnic.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• barbecue
• cookout
• excursion
• outing