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

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

His summer concerts became civic rituals: families picnicking, fans waving lightsabers in time to “The Imperial March” and Williams emerging each night to ovations more often reserved for rock stars.

From Los Angeles Times

Don’t forget to bring a picnic blanket, and for bonus points, bring a card game to play.

From Los Angeles Times

About half of the park’s nine miles of hiking and equestrian hiking trails will open, as will the 99-year-old polo field, lawns and picnic spaces, according to California State Parks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• barbecue
• cookout
• excursion
• outing