pickup
noun
- the act of picking up, as in fielding a rapidly rolling baseball
- the process or power of increasing in speed; acceleration
- ☆ a small, open truck with low sides, for hauling light loads
- Informal
- a casual or informal acquaintance, as one formed with hope of sexual activity
- a person with whom such an acquaintance is formed
- ☆ Informal improvement or recovery, as in trade
- ☆ Informal
- a stimulant; bracer
- stimulation
- in an electric phonograph, a device that produces audio-frequency currents from the vibrations of a needle or stylus moving in a record groove
- the pivoted arm holding this device
- the reception of sound or light for conversion into electrical energy in the transmitter
- the apparatus used for this
- any place outside a studio where a broadcast originates
- the electrical system connecting this place to the broadcasting station
- a small microphone attached to a vibrating surface, as in an electric guitar
adjective
- assembled informally for a single engagement, contest, etc.: a pickup jazz band or baseball team
- of a game or job performed or played by those assembled in this way
- designating a window at a restaurant where prepared food can be bought by customers in cars
See pickup in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(pĭkˈŭpˌ)
nouna. The act or process of picking up: the pickup and delivery of farm produce.
b. Sports The act of striking or fielding a ball after it has touched the ground: a good pickup and throw from third base.
c. Capacity for acceleration: a sports car with good pickup.
d. Informal An improvement in condition or activity: a pickup in sales.
e. Slang An arrest by a law enforcement officer.
- One that is picked up, especially:
a. Passengers or freight: Taxi drivers expect good tips from airport pickups.
b. Informal A hitchhiker.
c. Slang A stranger with whom casual acquaintance is made, usually in anticipation of sexual relations.
- Accounting A balance brought forward.
- Previous journalistic copy to which succeeding copy is added.
- Music See upbeat.
- One that picks up, especially:
a. A pickup truck.
b. The rotary rake on a piece of machinery, such as a harvester, that picks up windrowed hay or straw.
- Electronics
a. A device that converts the oscillations of a phonograph needle into electrical impulses for subsequent conversion into sound.
b. The tone arm of a record player.
a. The reception of light or sound waves for conversion to electrical impulses.
b. The apparatus used for such reception.
c. A telecast originating outside a studio.
d. The apparatus for transmitting a broadcast from an outside place to the broadcasting station.
adjective Being, relating to, or involving a group of people assembled informally for a temporary purpose: a pickup orchestra; a pickup baseball game.
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