ENGLISH
REFERENCE

wicket

n.
US //ˈhwɪkət// UK //wˈɪkɪt// wick·et
  1. 1 cricket equipment (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The ball nipped back off the seam, clipping the top of the off-wicket before the batsman could bring his bat down in time.
  2. 2 cricket dismissal (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

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

    the dismissal of a batsman by the bowling side.

    Example

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

    Example

    The opening bowler took three quick wickets in the first session, putting the batting side under immense pressure.
  3. 3 service window (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The bank clerk gestured for the next customer to approach the wicket to complete the wire transfer.
  4. 4 small gate (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The heavy iron gates remained locked, but a small wicket allowed the groundskeeper to enter and exit without revealing the courtyard.
  5. 5 croquet arch (n.)
    C2 Proficiency American English Sport

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

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

From Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French wiket, from Old Norse (specifically, Old East Norse) víkjas, diminutive of vík. Compare modern French guichet, ultimately from the same Old Norse source.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026