pecking
ˈpɛkɪŋ
Definition Synonyms

Definition of pecking - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
movementaction of striking with a beak or pointed tool
  • The pecking of the woodpecker echoed through the forest.
2.
archaeologyDatedancient method of shaping stone by repeated strikingDated
  • Pecking was used to make early stone axes.

Adjective

1.
quick movementsinvolving quick, repeated movements
  • The pecking motion of the bird was fascinating to watch.
abrupt jerky rapid
2.
behaviorpersistent or repetitive in nature
  • His pecking behavior was annoying everyone in the room.
persistent repetitive
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Expressions with pecking

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ranking of people in a group by importance or power
The pecking order at work determines who makes decisions.

Origin of pecking

Old English, peccan (to peck)

Terms with pecking included in their meaning

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ornithology
bird with a strong beak for pecking wood
pecking order
compete forcefully to secure higher standing or benefit
bird
search for food by pecking the ground
woodpecker
bird with a strong bill for pecking wood

Examples of pecking in a sentence

  • We heard the steady pecking of a chisel as the mason shaped the stone.
  • Microscopic pits on the slab suggest pecking before polishing.
  • The report notes pecking marks along the groove’s edges.
  • The pecking action of the woodpecker was rhythmic.
  • Her pecking typing style was surprisingly fast.
  • The pecking noise was driving him crazy.

View all translations of pecking

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:picorage, picorant, ...
  2. German:Picken, schnelle Bewegung, ...
  3. Italian:beccata, rapidi movimenti, ...
  4. Spanish:picoteo, rápido, ...
  5. Portuguese:bicagem, rápida, ...
  6. Chinese:啄击, 快速重复的移动, ...
  7. Japanese:つつき, 素早い動き, ...
  8. Arabic:نَقْر, ناقِر, ...
  9. Hebrew:נִקּוּר, מְנַקֵּר, ...
  10. Russian:клёв, быстрые движения, ...
  11. Ukrainian:дзьобання, швидкі рухи, ...
  12. Hindi:चोंच मारना, तेज़, ...
peck
pɛk

Definition of peck - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

1.
bird actiontr./intr.strike with the beak or a pointed tooltr./intr.
  • The woodpecker pecks the tree trunk.
jab nibble poke
2.
kissingtr./intr.kiss quickly and lightlytr./intr.
  • He pecked her on the cheek before leaving.
buss kiss smooch
3.
eatingtr./intr.eat small amounts like a birdtr./intr.
  • She pecked at her salad during lunch.
graze munch nibble

Noun

1.
affectionquick, light kiss
  • She gave her son a peck on the cheek before school..
buss kiss smooch
2.
bird actionact of striking with a beak
  • The woodpecker's peck was loud and rhythmic.
hit jab strike
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Images of peck

  • peck: act of striking with a beak
    act of striking with a beak

Expressions with peck

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
typing method using only one or two fingers
He uses hunt and peck to type his emails.
eat in small unenthusiastic bites
She pecked at her salad during lunch.
search for food by pecking the ground
The chickens peck about in the yard.
complicated or troublesome situation
He got into a peck of trouble with the law.

Origin of peck

Middle English, pekken (to peck)

Examples of peck in a sentence

  • Chickens peck the ground for insects.
  • She pecked him on the lips and smiled.
  • The bird pecked at the seeds quickly.
  • He pecked at the bread while reading.
  • The child pecked at her food, uninterested.
  • She had to peck out the email slowly.

View all translations of peck

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:picorer, bisou, ...
  2. German:picken, flüchtiger Kuss, ...
  3. Italian:picchiettare, bacetto, ...
  4. Spanish:picotear, pico, ...
  5. Portuguese:bicar, selinho, ...
  6. Chinese:啄, 轻吻, ...
  7. Japanese:つつく, 軽いキス, ...
  8. Arabic:نَقَرَ, قُبْلَة خَفِيفَة, ...
  9. Hebrew:לְנַקֵּר, נְשִׁיקָה חֲטוּפָה, ...
  10. Russian:долбить, чмок, ...
  11. Ukrainian:довбати, поцілунок, ...
  12. Hindi:चोंच मारना, चुम्मी, ...

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