What does pickup mean?
Pickup has several related meanings, but its most familiar modern use is for a practical open-backed truck. In this sense, “pickup” names the vehicle rather than the separate pieces of a vehicle, so a company may own a pickup or replace an old pickup. The word can also mean the act of collecting something: a delayed pickup, a pickup from the airport, or a police officer’s pickup of an item. Less formally, it can describe an improvement, as in a pickup in sales, or a casual pickup game played among people who are not an organized team. Additional established senses include a golf shot, a short passage in music, and a baseball throw that catches the ball before it reaches the ground. Across these uses, the central idea is taking something up: collecting it, recovering it, or briefly lifting or introducing it.
A light or medium-sized truck with an open rear cargo area, used for transporting goods and equipment.
"The movers brought a pickup to collect the old furniture."
Common in American English and widely understood in British English.
The act of collecting a person or thing, especially an informal or delayed collection; also an informal improvement or recovery.
"The hotel arranged a late pickup from the station."
The improvement sense is informal and common in business, finance, and everyday conversation.
A casual sports game played by people who are not an organized team.
"A few of us headed to the park for a pickup game."
Often used with sports such as basketball, football, and soccer.
Organized informally or arranged at short notice rather than in a regular, formal way.
"They formed a pickup team for the charity match."
Common in phrases such as “pickup game,” “pickup team,” and “pickup basketball.”
Use the plural when referring to multiple vehicles, collections, improvements, or games.
"The business received several pickups before the afternoon delivery."
Pickup began as an ordinary act of collecting something, but it now most often means the sturdy truck built for exactly that kind of practical work.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pickup come from?
Pickup developed from the phrasal verb “pick up,” meaning to collect, lift, or acquire something. The compound noun was used in the nineteenth century for the act of collecting, including the collection of a person or object. The vehicle sense arose later, in the early twentieth century, when vehicles suitable for loading and carrying goods came to be called pickup trucks. The term also developed specialized meanings in music, sport, and colloquial business and social usage.
How pickup is actually used
As a count noun referring to a vehicle, it is especially common in North American English, though it is also understood in British English. In senses such as an economic improvement or a casual game, the word is informal and usually somewhat American in flavor.
Easily confused with pickup
Pickup is the standard closed form in general use, while pick-up with a hyphen is common mainly in certain established compounds and in British usage.
Pick means to select or lift up something, whereas pickup usually refers to a collection, a truck, or an informal game.