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

Police contacted the parents of both teens, who picked up their children.

From Los Angeles Times

He then picked up an ornamental miniature sword and arrow, known as a kirpan and teer to Sikhs, and threatened to kill the guards as they tried to detain him.

From BBC

Bishop Montgomery 78, Palm Desert 37: Coach Doug Mitchell picked up win No. 800 in his 36 years as head coach.

From Los Angeles Times

"If you're picking up people in blue states, and they don't have detention facilities available, then do you try to move them to red states?" she asked.

From BBC

The “Tragedy of Macbeth” actor said he never imbibed while working or preparing for a project, but would pick up drinking again after he wrapped.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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