wicket

n. the set of three wooden sticks (stumps) that a player tries to hit with a ball in cricket.

n. the structure consisting of three vertical stumps and two horizontal bails at either end of the pitch.

“The bowler managed to hit the wicket and the crowd cheered loudly.”

“The ball nipped back off the seam, clipping the top of the off-wicket before the batsman could bring his bat down in time.”

n. the act of a player being 'out' in a game of cricket.

n. the dismissal of a batsman by the bowling side.

“The team needs to take one more wicket to win the match.”

“The opening bowler took three quick wickets in the first session, putting the batting side under immense pressure.”

n. a small window where you talk to a worker, like at a bank or a train station.

n. a service counter or window through which transactions are conducted with a teller or clerk.

“I waited in line at the ticket wicket to buy a pass for the underground.”

“The bank clerk gestured for the next customer to approach the wicket to complete the wire transfer.”

British English

n. a small door or gate, often built into or next to a much larger one.

n. a small pedestrian door or gate, typically integrated into a larger portal or situated alongside it.

“We entered the garden through a small wooden wicket beside the main driveway.”

“The heavy iron gates remained locked, but a small wicket allowed the groundskeeper to enter and exit without revealing the courtyard.”

Formal

n. one of the small metal hoops that you hit a ball through in the game of croquet.

n. any of the small wire arches or hoops through which balls are driven in the game of croquet.

“She carefully aimed her mallet to send the ball straight through the final wicket.”

“The player struggled to navigate the tight angle of the penultimate wicket, eventually missing the shot by a fraction of an inch.”

American English