1 pock·et
Pronounced:
/ˈpɑ:kət/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural pock·etsMeaning:
[count] 1 : a usually small cloth bag that is sewn into a piece of clothing, a larger bag, etc., and that is open at the top or side so that you can put things into it ▪ He keeps his gloves in his coat pocket. ▪ She was standing there with her hands in her pockets. ▪ a hip/breast/shirt pocket ▪ I have a hole in my pocket. ▪ Her pocket was full of change/coins. ▪ The security guard asked us to empty our pockets. [=to take out everything in our pockets] —see color picture
2 : the amount of money that someone has available to spend ▪ We're looking for investors with pockets that are deep enough to pay for the project. [=investors with enough money to pay for the project] ▪ There are items in our store that suit every pocket. [=that everyone can afford to buy] ▪ The governor paid for the event out of his own pocket. [=with his own money rather than the state's money] ▪ The mayor diverted city funds into his own pockets. [=he took money that belonged to the city] —see also deep pockets
3 : a small bag or container that is attached to something and used to hold things ▪ There are pockets on the back of each car seat. ▪ The tickets are in the zippered pocket on the front of the suitcase.
4 : a small area or group that is different from the larger area or group it is in or near —usually + of ▪ Military forces have encountered a few pockets of resistance.
5 pool and billiards : a bag or cup that you hit the ball into at the corner or side of a pool table or billiard table ▪ He knocked the ball into the corner/side pocket.
6 : air pocket
2 : the amount of money that someone has available to spend ▪ We're looking for investors with pockets that are deep enough to pay for the project. [=investors with enough money to pay for the project] ▪ There are items in our store that suit every pocket. [=that everyone can afford to buy] ▪ The governor paid for the event out of his own pocket. [=with his own money rather than the state's money] ▪ The mayor diverted city funds into his own pockets. [=he took money that belonged to the city] —see also deep pockets
3 : a small bag or container that is attached to something and used to hold things ▪ There are pockets on the back of each car seat. ▪ The tickets are in the zippered pocket on the front of the suitcase.
4 : a small area or group that is different from the larger area or group it is in or near —usually + of ▪ Military forces have encountered a few pockets of resistance.
5 pool and billiards : a bag or cup that you hit the ball into at the corner or side of a pool table or billiard table ▪ He knocked the ball into the corner/side pocket.
6 : air pocket
be/live in each other's pockets
Brit informal : to be too close to someone or spend too much time with someone
in someone's pocket or in the pocket of someone
disapproving : under someone's control or influence ▪ The judge in the case was in the senator's pocket. [=was controlled by the senator] ▪ researchers/scientists who are in the pocket of pharmaceutical companies
in your pocket
informal ◊If you have something in your pocket, you are certain to win or get it. ▪ The interview went really well. I thought I had the job in my pocket. ▪ She knew that she had the game/match in her pocket. [=she knew she would win the game]
line your pockets —see 3line
out of pocket
chiefly Brit informal : having less money because of something that has happened ▪ The lawsuit has left company shareholders $30 million out of pocket. —see also out-of-pocket
pick pockets —see 1pick