First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1pocket
noun pock·et \ˈpä-kət\
: a usually small cloth bag that is sewn into a piece of clothing, a larger bag, etc., and that is open at the top or side so that you can put things into it
: the amount of money that someone has available to spend
: a small bag or container that is attached to something and used to hold things
Full Definition of POCKET
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: 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
— pock·et·ful \-ˌfu̇l\ noun
— 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
See pocket defined for English-language learners
See pocket defined for kids
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Origin of POCKET
Middle English poket, from Anglo-French poket, pochete, diminutive of poke, pouche bag — more at pouch
2pocket
verb
: to put (something) in a pocket
: to take or keep (something that does not belong to you)
: to earn or win (something, such as money)
Full Definition of POCKET
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
See pocket defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of POCKET
1589
Related to POCKET
3pocket
adjective
: small enough to fit in a pocket
: carried in a pocket
Full Definition of POCKET
2
a : of or relating to money b : carried in or paid from one's own pocket
See pocket defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of POCKET
1612
Related to POCKET
- Synonyms
- bantam, diminutive, dinky, dwarfish, fine, half-pint, Lilliputian, little, pint-size (or pint-sized), small, pocket-size (also pocket-sized), puny, pygmy, shrimpy, slight, smallish, subnormal, toylike, undersized (also undersize)
POCKETS Defined for Kids
1pocket
noun pock·et \ˈpä-kət\
Definition of POCKET for Kids
1
: a small bag sewn into a piece of clothing for carrying small articles
2
: a place or thing that is different from the larger place or thing that it is part of <pockets of poverty>
3
: a condition of the air that causes an airplane to drop suddenly <an air pocket>
4
: a bag at the corner or side of a pool table
2pocket
verb
pock·et·edpock·et·ing
Definition of POCKET for Kids
1
: to put something in a pocket
2
: to keep often dishonestly <He was tempted to pocket the profits.>
3pocket
adjective
Definition of POCKET for Kids
: pocket-size <a pocket dictionary>
Medical Dictionary
noun pock·et \ˈpäk-ət\
Medical Definition of POCKET
: a small cavity or space; especially : an abnormal cavity formed in diseased tissue <a gingival pocket>
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