picket fence


noun
  1. a fence consisting of pickets or pales nailed to horizontal stringers between upright posts.

Origin of picket fence

1
An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800
  • Also called paling, paling fence.

Words Nearby picket fence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use picket fence in a sentence

  • A moment later, with contemptuous satisfaction, he saw Burlingame climb the picket-fence at the side of the house.

  • In its surging to and from the crowd pushed over a post-rotted picket fence that had been erected in the early days of Everett.

    The Everett massacre | Walker C. Smith
  • It was so natural to be there that I scarce realized all that had happened since last I saw the back gate in the picket fence.

    Richard Carvel, Complete | Winston Churchill
  • Excited citizens gathered to the scene, for the picket fence had not succumbed without protest, and the crash had carried well.

    The Wrong Twin | Harry Leon Wilson
  • He was an uncomfortable horse to ride under the best circumstances; here he was as bad as riding a picket-fence.

British Dictionary definitions for picket fence

picket fence

noun
  1. a fence consisting of pickets supported at close regular intervals by being driven into the ground, by interlacing with strong wire, or by nailing to horizontal timbers fixed to posts in the ground

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012