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

“Like a pic-a-nic,” said Pa. He always added that extra “a” in picnic, and I liked the sound of it.

From Literature

Soon after, we gathered under the shade of old oak trees at a large clearing with several picnic tables.

From Los Angeles Times

If possible, she will nap underneath a picnic table, à la Yogi Bear.

From The Wall Street Journal

It inspired the designers of Central Park and drew hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to stroll and hold picnics.

From The Wall Street Journal

I head straight for our backyard, to the patio Dad built, with its shaded pergola and picnic table.

From Literature

Related Words

• barbecue
• cookout
• excursion
• outing