pick out

verb

picked out; picking out; picks out
Synonyms of pick outnext

transitive verb

1
: discern, make out
2
: to play the notes of by ear or one by one
picking out tunes on the piano

Examples of pick out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My mom picked out this three-piece set that can be mixed and matched with other items on my trip. — Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026 Halton, a fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma, was considered one of the best interior pass rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft and a natural fit for San Francisco’s attacking scheme under defensive line coach Kris Kocurek. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Ahead of the delivery, baby Aloni's first outfit was picked out, mom's bag was packed, and dad was fully equipped with the birthing plan and prepared for all scenarios. — La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 The 5th-round draft pick out of Nebraska has his own YouTube channel with over 8,000 subscribers. — Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pick out

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pick out was in 1540

Rhymes for pick out

See All Rhymes for pick out

Browse Nearby Words

pick oneself up
pick out
pick over
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pick out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pick%20out. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pick out

verb
1
: to see or detect with some difficulty
picked out the trail in the snow
2
: to play the notes of by ear or one by one
pick out a tune

More from Merriam-Webster on pick out

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pick out

Nglish: Translation of pick out for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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