picket

UK: /ˈpɪkɪt/ US: /ˈpɪkɪt/ ,(pik′it)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pick•et /ˈpɪkɪt/   n. [countable]

1. Building a post driven into the ground for use in a fence, to fasten down a tent, etc.
2. a person stationed, as by a union, outside a store, etc., to persuade workers or customers not to enter it during a strike.
3. a person engaged in a similar demonstration.
4. Military a soldier placed on a forward position to warn against an enemy advance.

v. 

5. to place pickets in front of or around (a factory, etc.), as during a strike or demonstration: [~ + object]
   The workers were picketing the shop.
   [no object]
   While the workers were picketing, security teams photographed them.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pick•et  (pik′it), n. 

1. Building a post, stake, pale, or peg that is used in a fence or barrier, to fasten down a tent, etc.
2. a person stationed by a union or the like outside a factory, store, mine, etc., in order to dissuade or prevent workers or customers from entering it during a strike.
3. a person engaged in any similar demonstration, as against a government's policies or actions, before an embassy, office building, construction project, etc.
4. Military a soldier or detachment of soldiers placed on a line forward of a position to warn against an enemy advance.
5. Military [Navy, Air Force.] an aircraft or ship performing similar sentinel duty.

v.t. 

6. Building to enclose within a picket fence or stockade, as for protection, imprisonment, etc.:
   to picket a lawn; to picket captives.
7. Building to fasten or tether to a picket.
8. to place pickets in front of or around (a factory, store, mine, embassy, etc.), as during a strike or demonstration.
9. Military
   • to guard, as with pickets.
   • Military to post as a picket.

v.i. 

10. to stand or march as a picket.

• French piquet. See pike², -et
• 1680–90

pick′et•er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

picket / ˈpɪkɪt/ noun

1. a pointed stake, post, or peg that is driven into the ground to support a fence, provide a marker for surveying, etc
2. an individual or group that stands outside an establishment to make a protest, to dissuade or prevent employees or clients from entering, etc
3. Also: picquet a small detachment of troops or warships positioned towards the enemy to give early warning of attack

verb

1. to post or serve as pickets at (a factory, embassy, etc): let's go and picket the shop
2. to guard (a main body or place) by using or acting as a picket
3. (transitive) to fasten (a horse or other animal) to a picket
4. (transitive) to fence (an area, boundary, etc) with pickets

Etymology: 18th Century: from French piquet, from Old French piquer to prick; see pike²

ˈpicketer noun