Phrase guide

Pickett's charge

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A valiant but futile frontal assault.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

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Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A major battle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

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Meaning relationships

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3

noun

Meaning 3

A bad decision.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

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Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

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4

noun

Meaning 4

Alternative form of Pickett's charge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

A reference to an event during the American Civil War, wherein 16,000 Confederate infantrymen attacked Union positions; the attack failed, with several thousand Confederate casualties.