# pickup

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpɪkʌp/ · frequency rank #8,841

## Definitions
1. An electronic device for detecting sound, vibration, etc., such as one fitted to an electric guitar or record player.
2. An electronic device for detecting sound, vibration, etc., such as one fitted to an electric guitar or record player.
3. An electronic device for detecting sound, vibration, etc., such as one fitted to an electric guitar or record player.
4. Ellipsis of pickup truck.
5. Impromptu or ad hoc, especially of sports games and teams made up of randomly selected players.
6. An instance of approaching someone and engaging in romantic flirtation and courting with the intent to pursue romance, a date, or a sexual encounter.
7. A person successfully approached in this manner for romance or sex.
8. In various games, the fielding or hitting of a ball just after it strikes the ground.
9. An item that can be picked up by the player, conferring some benefit or effect; a power-up.
10. The act of a challenging party or candidate winning an electoral district held by an incumbent party or candidate.
11. The act of answering a telephone.
12. A relatively minor shot filmed or recorded after the fact to augment previous footage.
13. The act of collecting and taking away something or someone, usually in a vehicle.
14. A time during which passengers, such as school children, are picked up.
15. The rate at which a motor vehicle picks up speed.
16. The condition of being picked up, or taken up; adoption by some entity.

## Etymology
From pick + up.

## Easily confused with
- **picky** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pickup-vs-picky)
- **pick** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pick-vs-pickup)
- **picks** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/picks-vs-pickup)
- **picked** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/picked-vs-pickup)
- **pickle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pickle-vs-pickup)
- **picket** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/picket-vs-pickup)
- **picker** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/picker-vs-pickup)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ipckup`, `pcikup`, `picckup`, `pickkup`, `pickpu`, `pickupp`, `picukp`, `pikcup`, `ppickup`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/pickup