Pronunciation: /pɛk/
noun a quick, sharp bite or strike
A1 The chicken gave a peck on the ground to find food.
A2 The bird pecked at the seeds in the feeder.
B1 The woodpecker's pecking could be heard throughout the forest.
B2 The child received a peck on the cheek from their grandmother.
C1 The chef carefully measured out a peck of salt for the recipe.
C2 The journalist's article received a peck of criticism from readers.
verb to strike or bite with the beak or a similar instrument
A1 The chicken pecked at the seeds on the ground.
A2 The bird pecked at the crumbs on the table.
B1 She pecked her husband on the cheek as a sign of affection.
B2 The woodpecker pecked at the tree trunk in search of insects.
C1 The journalist pecked away at his keyboard to meet the deadline.
C2 The researcher meticulously pecked out each data point in the report.
formal The chickens pecked at the grain scattered on the ground.
informal I saw the birds pecking at the crumbs outside the bakery.
slang Don't peck at me, I'll get to it when I can.
figurative Her constant criticism felt like a constant peck on my self-esteem.
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