pocket

1 of 3

noun

pock·​et ˈpä-kət 

1

a

: a small bag carried by a person : purse

b

: a small bag that is sewed or inserted in a garment so that it is open at the top or side

coat pocket

2

: supply of money : means

3

: receptacle, container: such as

a

: an opening at the corner or side of a billiard table

b

: a superficial pouch in some animals

4

: a small often isolated area or group

pockets of unemployment

:

a

: a cavity containing a deposit (as of gold, water, or gas)

b

: air pocket

5

: a place for a batten made by sewing a strip on a sail

6

a

: blind alley

b

: the position of a contestant in a race hemmed in by others

c

: an area formed by blockers from which a football quarterback attempts to pass

7

: the concave area at the base of the finger sections of a baseball glove or mitt in which the ball is normally caught

pocketful

ˈpä-kət-ˌfu̇l 

noun

pocket

2 of 3

verb

pocketed; pocketing; pockets

transitive verb

1

a

: to put or enclose in or as if in one's pocket

pocketed the change

b

: to appropriate to one's own use : steal

c

: to refuse assent to (a bill) by a pocket veto

2

: to put up with : accept

3

: to set aside : suppress

pocketed his pride

4

a

: to hem in

b

: to drive (a ball) into a pocket of a pool table

5

: to cover or supply with pockets

pocketable

ˈpä-kə-tə-bəl 

adjective

pocket

3 of 3

adjective

1

a

: small enough to be carried in the pocket

b

: small, miniature

a pocket park

2

a

: of or relating to money

b

: carried in or paid from one's own pocket

Phrases

in one's pocket

: in one's control or possession

in pocket

1

: provided with funds

2

: in the position of having made a profit

out of pocket

1

: low on money or funds

2

: having suffered a loss

3

: from cash on hand

Synonyms

Noun

• bankroll
• coffers
• exchequer
• finances
• fund
• resources
• wherewithal

Verb

• choke (back)
• hold back
• repress
• sink
• smother
• stifle
• strangle
• submerge
• suppress
• swallow

Adjective

• bantam
• diminutive
• dinky
• dwarfish
• fine
• half-pint
• Lilliputian
• little
• pint-size
• pint-sized
• pocket-size
• pocket-sized
• puny
• pygmy
• shrimpy
• slight
• small
• smallish
• subnormal
• toylike
• undersized
• undersize

Examples of pocket in a Sentence

Noun

He keeps his gloves in his coat pocket.

She was standing there with her hands in her pockets.

I have a hole in my pocket.

Her pocket was full of change.

There are pockets on the back of each car seat.

a zippered pocket on the front of a suitcase

Verb

The chairman was fired for pocketing funds.

The saleswoman had overcharged them and pocketed the difference.

a professional golfer who pocketed more than four million dollars in winnings

I had to pocket my pride and ask for some help.

Adjective

his pocket involvement in the company was minimal

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

An expansive pocket is created by sweeping the blade’s tip back and forth. —Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024

Two shove-it pockets, a laptop sleeve, and two water bottle holders will keep your on-the-go giftee moving in comfort and style. —Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024

Verb

Be persistent, and don’t let an airline just pocket your money. —Christopher Elliott, King Features Syndicate, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024

The spiced apple filling is pocketed inside a crisp pie-dough shell, which is coated in cinnamon sugar. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024

Adjective

The Vault by Vans x Nicole McLaughlin Collection includes special-edition versions of the iconic Vans Slip-On VP VR3 LX with adaptations—think canvas pockets and easy-carry heel straps—inspired by a classic multi-pocket garden tote and workwear bucket bag often used on construction job sites. —Hollyanna McCollom, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2023

No multi-pocket backpacks or bags. —Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English poket, from Anglo-French poket, pochete, diminutive of poke, pouche bag — more at pouch

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pocket

• air pocket
• besom pocket
• cargo pocket
• deep pocket
• in someone's pocket
• in the pocket of (someone)
• out of one's own pocket
• patch pocket
• pick someone's pocket
• pocket battleship
• pocket billiards
• pocket book
• pocket borough
• pocket calculator
• pocket edition
• pocket gopher
• pocket money
• pocket mouse
• pocket-size
• pocket-sized
• pocket veto
• slash pocket
• suit every pocket
• vest-pocket
• vest-pocket park
• watch pocket

Kids Definition

pocket

1 of 3 noun

pock·​et ˈpäk-ət 

1

a

: a small bag carried by a person : purse

b

: a small bag open at the top or side inserted in a garment

coat pocket

2

: supply of money : means

3

: container

especially : a bag at the corner or side of a billiard table

4

: something like a pocket

a pocket of gold in a mine

5

: air pocket

pocket

2 of 3 verb

1

a

: to put or enclose in a pocket

pocketed the change

b

: to take for one's own use especially dishonestly

pocket the profits

2

: to set aside : suppress

pocketed my anger

3

: to supply with pockets

pocket

3 of 3 adjective

1

a

: small enough to fit in the pocket

b

: smaller than the usual size

a pocket park

2

: carried in or paid from one's pocket

pocket expenses

Medical Definition

pocket

noun

pock·​et ˈpäk-ət 

: a small cavity or space

especially : an abnormal cavity formed in diseased tissue

a gingival pocket