Function: transitive verb
Date: 14th century
1 a : to take hold of and lift up b : to gather together : COLLECT < picked up all the pieces> c : to clean up : TIDY
2 : to take (passengers or freight) into a vehicle
3 a : to acquire casually or by chance < picked up a valuable antique at an auction> b : to acquire by study or experience : LEARN < picking up a great deal of knowledge in the process ― Robert Schleicher> c : to obtain especially by payment : BUY < picked up some groceries> d : to acquire (a player) especially from another team through a trade or by financial recompense e : to accept for the purpose of paying <offered to pick up the tab> f : to come down with : CATCH < picked up a cold> g : GAIN , EARN < picked up a few yards on the last play> < picked up her first victory>
4 a : to enter informally into conversation or companionship with (a previously unknown person) <had a brief affair with a girl he picked up in a bar> b : to take into custody <the police picked up the fugitive>
5 a : to catch sight of : PERCEIVE < picked up the harbor lights> b : to come to and follow < picked up the outlaw's trail> c : to bring within range of sight or hearing < pick up distant radio signals> d : UNDERSTAND , CATCH <didn't pick up the hint>
6 a : REVIVE b : INCREASE
7 : to resume after a break : CONTINUE < pick up the discussion tomorrow>
8 : to assume responsibility for guarding (an opponent) in an athletic contest
intransitive verb
1 : to recover or increase speed, vigor, or activity : IMPROVE <after the strike, business picked up > <the wind began to pick up >
2 : to put things in order <was always picking up after her>
3 : to pack up one's belongings <couldn't just pick up and leave>
– pick up on
1 a : UNDERSTAND , APPRECIATE b : to become aware of : NOTICE
2 : to adopt as one's own : TAKE UP