pick-up

noun

1. Also calledpick-up armtone arm the light balanced arm of a record player that carries the wires from the cartridge to the preamplifier
2. an electromagnetic transducer that converts the vibrations of the steel strings of an electric guitar or other amplified instrument into electric signals
3. another name for cartridge
4. Also calledpick-up truck a small truck with an open body and low sides, used for light deliveries
5. informal.
   an ability to accelerate rapidly

   this car has good pick-up

6. informal.
   a casual acquaintance, usually one made with sexual intentions
7. informal.
   1. a stop to collect passengers, goods, etc
   2. the people or things collected
8. slang.
   a free ride in a motor vehicle
9. informal.
   an improvement
10. slang.
    a pick-me-up

adjective

1. organized, arranged, or assembled hastily and without planning

   pick-up games

   a pick-up band

verb

1. tr to gather up in the hand or hands
2. tr to acquire, obtain, or purchase casually, incidentally, etc
3. tr to catch (a disease)

   she picked up a bad cold during the weekend

4. intr to improve in health, condition, activity, etc

   the market began to pick up

5. reflexive to raise (oneself) after a fall or setback
6. tr to notice or sense

   she picked up a change in his attitude

7. to resume where one left off; return to

   we'll pick up after lunch

   they picked up the discussion

8. tr to learn gradually or as one goes along
9. tr to take responsibility for paying (a bill)

   he picked up the bill for dinner

10. informal.
    tr to reprimand

    he picked her up on her table manners

11. tr to collect or give a lift to (passengers, hitchhikers, goods, etc)
12. informal.
    tr to become acquainted with, esp with a view to having sexual relations
13. informal.
    tr to arrest
14. to increase (speed)

    the cars picked up down the straight

15. tr to receive (electrical signals, a radio signal, sounds, etc), as for transmission or amplification
16. pick up the pieces
    to restore a situation to normality after a crisis or collapse

Example Sentences

“You have to be adventurous,” said Levi Snyder, a florist who dashed into the market around 9 a.m. to pick up more flowers for a last-minute order.

From Los Angeles Times

Of the total responses, 72% stated they lost wages because of air quality or school closures that forced them to leave their jobs to pick up their children, and 14% were evacuated from their homes.

From Los Angeles Times

A few days after the game, Beck picked up his issue and saw it for the first time.

From BBC

Cruyff, also one of football's greatest ever players, won the European Cup and four La Liga titles with Barcelona, also picking up silverware at Ajax.

From BBC

“I looked over my shoulder for the two days afterward, honestly. I would drive to pick up the boys or drive to go run errands, and I would look over my shoulder.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acquire
• buy
• gain
• gather
• get
• have
• learn
• purchase
• score
• take