picking

[ pik-ing ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that picks.
2. something that is or may be picked or picked up.
3. the amount picked.
4. pickings,
   1. scraps or gleanings:

      the pickings of a feast.

   2. profits or gains; spoils.

Word History and Origins

Origin of picking¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English picung (once) a mark made by picking; pick ¹, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Sir Keir Starmer was repeatedly asked why he was "picking a fight" with pensioners, and about warnings that more would fall into poverty as a result and that some would die.

From BBC

A source inside Trump's transition team told Vanity Fair last week that the president-elect’s staff was unaware of the allegations before picking Hegseth, leading to a feeling that they’d been caught off guard.

From Salon

On his latest tour, Matlock is purposely picking venues in smaller towns that do not often feature on tour schedules.

From BBC

"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

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

Related Words

• choice
• collection
• draft
• election
• excerpt
• option
• pick