pickle

1 of 3

noun (1)

pick·​le ˈpi-kəl How to pronounce pickle (audio)
1
: a solution or bath for preserving or cleaning: such as
a
: a brine or vinegar solution in which foods are preserved
b
: any of various baths used in industrial cleaning or processing
2
: a difficult situation : plight
could see no way out of the pickle I was inR. L. Stevenson
3
: an article of food that has been preserved in brine or in vinegar
specifically : a cucumber that has been so preserved

pickle

2 of 3

verb

pickled; pickling ˈpi-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce pickle (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to treat, preserve, or clean in or with a pickle
2
: to give a light finish to (something, such as furniture) by bleaching or painting and wiping

pickle

3 of 3

noun (2)

1
Scotland : grain, kernel
2
Scotland : a small quantity

Examples of pickle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Welcome Diner, Phoenix Welcome Diner is a beloved Phoenix hotspot offering five burgers, including the Welcome Burger made with a 6-ounce patty, mild cheddar, garlic aioli, ketchup, onion and pickles on a Noble brioche bun. Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 To cater to local tastes, Mr. Elder created a bagel topped with ham, mustard, pickles and pease pudding, a traditional Newcastle spread made with yellow split peas. Jenny Gross, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Now, pickle palooza has pickle queens and their mascot, the pickle dude. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Mar. 2024 Celebration of steam Most of the saunas are run by local enthusiasts, friendly families and businesses giving out pre-sauna beers and grilled meats — or vodka and pickles. Lisa Lucas, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024 Does the chain double down on acid by including pickles on the sandwich? Tim Carman, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 Realism is the name of the game for this look, with each nail featuring a realistic, 3-D rendering of a pickle with the Best Maid logo on his big toes. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2024 Read the full Aries Daily Horoscope Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Expressing affection may get you into a pickle. USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2024 The chain is known for its chicken sandwiches that are fried or grilled and served on a bun with pickles and Chick-fil-A sauce. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 22 Feb. 2024
Verb
Behind a striking open kitchen covered in textured ceramic tiles, a host of cooks were gearing up for lunch service every morning by preparing cuts of fresh fish, or slicing and pickling vegetables. Liam Hess, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2024 Traditional Romanian cooking is a collision of Balkan, Ottoman, and Mediterranean influences—soft cheeses, spiced meats, mountains of fresh green herbs, a vivid tradition of pickling and curing—both lush and straightforward. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2024 Their vibrant pink color comes from pickling in a beet juice mixture overnight. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2024 Executive chef Ken Arneson said his favorite dish is the birria braised oxtails, house pickled vegetables and grilled Noble bread. Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 22 Jan. 2024 Sauerkraut, carrots, cucumbers and celery are just a few of the foods that can be pickled. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 1 Feb. 2024 These cakes can be found beginning in early January and are available up until Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Fish: Seared, pickled, and more Fish signifies abundance, and is a sign of prosperity, and is consumed by many different cultures around the world during new year celebrations. USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2024 Other Pickled Foods Cucumbers aren't the only food that can be pickled. Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health, 15 Feb. 2024 People pickled them in beet juice and split them into meringues and whiskey sours and sucked them raw for hangovers and ran them over their naked bodies for spiritual cleansing. Hazlitt, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pickle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English pykyl, pekill sauce, gravy, from or akin to Middle Dutch peeckel brine

Noun (2)

perhaps from Scots pickle to trifle, pilfer

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near pickle

Cite this Entry

“Pickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pickle. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pickle

1 of 2 noun
pick·​le ˈpik-əl How to pronounce pickle (audio)
1
: a liquid used for preserving or cleaning
especially : a saltwater or vinegar solution in which foods are preserved : brine
2
: an unpleasant or difficult situation : plight
3
: an article of food (as a cucumber) preserved in a saltwater or vinegar solution

pickle

2 of 2 verb
pickled; pickling ˈpik-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce pickle (audio)
: to treat, preserve, or clean in or with a pickle

More from Merriam-Webster on pickle

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