different between pickup vs picking

English

Alternative forms

• pick-up
• pick up

Etymology

From pick +? up.

Noun

pickup (countable and uncountable, plural pickups)

1. An electronic device for detecting sound, vibration, etc., such as one fitted to an electric guitar or record player.
   1. In a record player, an electromagnetic component that converts the needle vibrations into an electrical signal.
   2. electromagnetic coil receiver of metal string oscillations
2. (US, Canada) A pickup truck.
3. (usually attributive) Impromptu or ad hoc, especially of sports games and teams made up of randomly selected players.

   Rather than join a basketball league, James decided to play pickup.

   At lunch we had a game of pickup hockey.

   • 2010, Mary Ellen Snodgrass, Peter Carey: A Literary Companion (page 100)

     Trevor, like an Aussie outbacker, eats snacks and a pickup meal of bread, cantaloupe, olives, mangoes, and melon.

4. An instance of approaching someone and engaging in romantic flirtation and courting with the intent to pursue romance, a date, or a sexual encounter. See also pick-up line, pick-up joint, pickup artist.

   Hey, thanks for the drink, but if this is a pickup, I'm not interested.

5. A person successfully approached in this manner for romance or sex.
   • 2002, James A. Abrahamson, Confessions of a Diplomatic Pouch Clerk (page 192)

     Audball's latest pickup didn't seem to care where they were, or anything at all about alimony, palimony, or child support […]

6. (sports) In various games, the fielding or hitting of a ball just after it strikes the ground.
7. (video games) An item that can be picked up by the player, conferring some benefit or effect; a power-up.
   • 1991, James Leach, Turrican II (video game review) in Your Sinclair issue 69

     Every step of the way you come across absolutely loads of aliens, pick-ups and new and weird obstacles to overcome.

   • 2002, Acclaim Entertainment, Turok Evolution: The official strategy guide (page 73)

     Enter the graveyard if you want pick-ups, otherwise make a left under the archways to progress. When the pathway ends, you'll see two blocked-off tunnels and a switch between them.

8. (US, Canada) The act of a challenging party or candidate winning an electoral district held by an incumbent party or candidate. See also gain

   The returns from the election show Apple Party candidate Jane Doe has made a pickup in the district of City West defeating Orange Party Incumbent Joe Smith

9. The act of answering a telephone.
   • 2006, Georgina Spelvin, The Devil Made Me Do It, Little Red Hen Books (2008), ?ISBN, page 224:

     That's why the phone at the theater's on automatic pickup.

10. (film) A relatively minor shot filmed or recorded after the fact to augment previous footage.
11. The act of collecting and taking away something or someone, usually in a vehicle.
12. (uncountable) A time during which passengers, such as school children, are picked up.

Descendants

Translations

Portuguese

Noun

pickup f (plural pickups)

1. Alternative form of picape

Spanish

Noun

pickup m or f (plural pickups)

1. pickup (vehicle)

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?p?k??/
• Rhymes: -?k??

Verb

picking

1. present participle of pick

Noun

picking (plural pickings)

1. A gathering to pick fruit.

   We went to a strawberry picking last June.

2. (usually pluralized) Items remaining after others have selected the best; scraps, as of food.
   • 1899, F. Marion Crawford, Via Crucis, ch. 9:

     Gilbert wandered through . . .the haunts of ravenous dogs and homeless cats that kept themselves alive on the choice pickings of the city's garbage.

3. (usually pluralized) Income or other gains, especially if obtained in an unscrupulous or objectionable manner.
   • 1919, Anthony Hope, The Secret of the Tower, ch. 11:

     He liked the pickings which the job brought him much better than the job itself.

4. Something picked or pulled out.

   The schoolboy flicked his nose pickings across the classroom.

5. The act of making a choice; selection.
6. The final finishing of woven fabrics by removing burs, etc.
7. The removal of defects from electrotype plates.
8. Dabbing in stoneworking.

Synonyms

• (items remaining after others have selected the best): leftovers
• (unscrupulously acquired gains): See Thesaurus:booty

Derived terms