pickup
/ˈpɪkʌp/ noun, proper noun
Forms pickups pick-up pick up
- noun In a record player, an electromagnetic component that converts the needle vibrations into an electrical signal.
- noun Electromagnetic coil receiver of metal string oscillations.
- noun The reception of sound, etc. by such a device. “This microphone has very weak pickup.”
- noun (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.”
- noun An instance of approaching someone and engaging in romantic flirtation and courting with the intent to pursue romance, a date, or a sexual encounter. “Hey, thanks for the drink, but if this is a pickup, I'm not interested.”
- noun A person successfully approached in this manner for romance or sex.
- noun (sports) In various games, the fielding or hitting of a ball just after it strikes the ground.
- noun (video games) An item that can be picked up by the player, conferring some benefit or effect; a power-up.
- proper noun A surname.
Synonyms
phono cartridge pickup truck pick-me-up getaway tone arm pickup arm cartridge
Etymology
From pick + up.
Webster’s 1913
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “pickup”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details