pickax

noun

pick·​ax ˈpik-ˌaks How to pronounce pickax (audio)
variants or pickaxe

Examples of pickax 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.
The carvings depict bighorn sheep, bisected circles and at one site, a miner swinging a pickax. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025 At the center of the maelstrom stands Léna Lazare, holding a pickax. Morgan Meaker, WIRED, 7 Aug. 2024 Investigators later found blood and human tissue in the bed of the truck, as well as on tools in the garage, including hedge trimmers, branch cutters, an ax, a pickax, a baseball bat and a rake. Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2024 The tools shown on the flag — a plow, an anchor, a hammer and pickax — honor the trades: agriculture, mining, manufacturing and navigation. Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 13 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for pickax

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pecaxe, alteration of pikois, from Anglo-French picois, from pic pick, from Latin picus woodpecker — more at pie

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pickax was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Pickax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pickax. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

pickax

noun
pick·​ax ˈpik-ˌaks How to pronounce pickax (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on pickax

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