pic·nic
| \ ˈpik-(ˌ)nik
\
\
Definition of picnic
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: an excursion or outing with food usually provided by members of the group and eaten in the open
also
: the food provided for a picnic
2a
: a pleasant or amusingly carefree experience
I don't expect being married to be a picnic— Josephine Pinckney
b
: an easy task or feat
3
: a shoulder of pork with much of the butt removed
picnic
verb
picnicked;
picnicking
Definition of picnic (Entry 2 of 2)
: to go on a picnic : eat in picnic fashion
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Other Words from picnic
Noun
picnicky
\ ˈpik-(ˌ)ni-kē
\
adjective
\
adjective
Verb
picnicker
noun
Synonyms for picnic
Synonyms: Noun
beer and skittles, easy street, fun and games, hog heaven
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Examples of picnic in a Sentence
Noun
We decided to have a picnic on the beach. We ate our picnic by the lake. The annual school picnic is this weekend. This winter is a picnic compared with last year's.Verb
We picnicked in the park.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Courting young ladies, especially with picnics along scenic Rock Creek, was another favorite leisure activity. — Smithsonian, "The Hard-Drinking Early Smithsonian Naturalists of the Megatherium Club," 4 Sep. 2019 Bring a picnic dinner with you for the family-friendly event. — Anne Nickoloff, cleveland.com, "11 things to do in Cleveland on Sunday, Sept. 1," 1 Sep. 2019 In Northeast Portland, parents accompanied their children to Lee Elementary, where a four-alarm blaze frightened picnic-goers Monday. — oregonlive.com, "Here’s what the first day of school looked like across Portland," 28 Aug. 2019 The production’s music director is Gary Ruschman, a longtime member of male vocal group Cantus, and I don’t recall a prior picnic operetta that handled harmonies with such care and commitment. — Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, "Review: Picnic Operetta rocks up Mozart, but the beauty comes through," 17 Aug. 2019 What will follow during the course of the 2020 campaign could make Castro’s tweet seem like a church picnic. — Jonathan S. Tobin, National Review, "Doxing Donors and the New Era of Scorched-Earth Politics," 8 Aug. 2019 On Monday, the Burbank host families held a laid-back barbecue and picnic at Ralph Foy Park. — Anthony Clark Carpio, Burbank Leader, "Burbank Sister Cities program gives students insight into local family life," 30 July 2019 Horseshoe Bend, a spectacular overlook of red sandstone and river just outside Grand Canyon National Park, was once a serene picnic spot. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, "How National Parks Are Faring in the Age of Instagram," 26 July 2019 Aficionados bring parasols, folding chairs and picnics. — The Economist, "A French cyclist may win the Tour de France," 25 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
With groups picnicking in the shade and DJs spinning rump-shaking house music, the atmosphere was somewhere between a backyard barbecue and a nightclub. — Los Angeles Times, "Black voters to 2020 Democrats: Don’t take us for granted," 3 Sep. 2019 And what a place to picnic, where Augustus and Cicero once dined! — Washington Post, "Rome’s seven hills offer seven green respites from summer’s crowds," 12 July 2019 For more walking, or picnicking, there’s Kings Park — larger than Central Park and filled with botanic gardens, bushland and trails. — Kathryn Romeyn, The Hollywood Reporter, "Hollywood's Travel Guide to Western Australia," 16 July 2019 In The Press, Chris Macias lists the best wineries across the state for picnicking in these warmer months. — Esther Mobley, SFChronicle.com, "Wine and barbecue, a perfect pairing," 4 July 2019 Mardi Gras Park also will be open for picnicking and fireworks viewing. — Lawrence Specker | Lspecker@al.com, al.com, "July 4 on the coast: Fireworks shows in Mobile, Baldwin," 3 July 2019 Don’t feel bound to picnic tables — sometimes a tree stump or a patch of grass in the shade (or sun, depending on the temperature) is the more pleasant option. — Alison Sherwood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "On-the-go, kid-friendly picnic spots in Milwaukee (and foods) for summer fun and memories," 5 June 2019 The festival started July 3 with four hours of carnival games, inflatable attractions for kids, picnicking and music before a fireworks show capped the evening. — Steve Sadin, chicagotribune.com, "Fourth of July parade, ‘Family Days’ festival help make holiday a community affair in Deerfield," 5 July 2019 The park is the site of community events and a spot for people watching and picnicking. — Martina Schimitschek, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Borrego Springs: Low-key oasis with small-town vibe, set in the Anza-Borrego Desert," 27 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'picnic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for picnic
picnic
noun
English Language Learners Definition of picnic
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a meal that is eaten outdoors especially during a trip away from home
: a trip or party that includes a meal eaten outdoors
informal
: something that is pleasant or easy
picnic
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of picnic (Entry 2 of 2)
: to eat a meal outdoors especially during a trip away from home : to have a picnic
See the full definition for picnic in the English Language Learners Dictionary
picnic
noun
pic·nic
| \ ˈpik-ˌnik
\
\
Kids Definition of picnic
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: an outdoor party with food taken along and eaten in the open
2
: a pleasant or carefree experience
A broken leg is no picnic.
picnic
verb