picnic

[ pik-nik ]

noun

1. an excursion or outing in which the participants carry food with them and share a meal in the open air.
2. the food eaten on such an excursion.
3. Also called picnic ham, a section of pork shoulder, usually boned, smoked, and weighing 4–6 pounds. Compare daisy ( def 2 ).
4. Informal. an enjoyable experience or time, easy task, etc.:

   Being laid up in a hospital is no picnic.

verb (used without object)

, pic·nicked, pic·nick·ing.

1. to go on or take part in a picnic.

picnic

/ ˈpɪknɪk /

noun

1. a trip or excursion to the country, seaside, etc, on which people bring food to be eaten in the open air
2. 1. any informal meal eaten outside
   2. ( as modifier )

      a picnic lunch

3. informal.
   a troublesome situation or experience
4. no picnic informal.
   a hard or disagreeable task

verb

1. intr to eat a picnic

Derived Forms

• ˈpicnicker, noun

Other Words From

• picnick·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of picnic¹

1740–50; < German Pic-nic (now Picknick ) < French pique-nique, rhyming compound < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of picnic¹

C18: from French piquenique, of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

see no picnic .

Example Sentences

A few years ago, I sat at a picnic table in Chadron, Nebraska, watching an exchange that captured this essence of respectful dialogue we strive toward at Share Our America.

From Salon

Vault toilets, trash and recycling services are available at the nearby El Capitan picnic area.

From Los Angeles Times

The Aussie quartet is gathered on a recent afternoon around a Griffith Park picnic table, where a small herd of little kids makes a racket on the grass nearby.

From Los Angeles Times

Say goodbye to disposable plastic utensils and picnic while also respecting Mother Nature.

From Los Angeles Times

A group of children played Connect 4 at a picnic table, while a man sought treatment for a wound to his arm.

From BBC

Related Words

• barbecue
• cookout
• excursion
• outing