Picket Very Common

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

"Security hired two guards to act as pickets outside the factory gate in case of a potential strike."

a detachment of troops guarding an army from surprise attack

"The commander ordered a small unit to form a picket line along the riverbank to guard against any surprise cavalry charges during the night."

a protester posted by a labor organization outside a place of work

"The union members formed a picket line across the factory gates to demand better safety conditions for their coworkers."

a vehicle performing sentinel duty

"The police directed traffic away from the blockade, allowing the armored picket to drive past without incident."

a wooden strip forming part of a fence

"The old barn needs new pickets to replace the ones rotting away at the bottom of the fence."

a form of military punishment used by the British in the late 17th century in which a soldier was forced to stand on one foot on a pointed stake

"The condemned soldier shivered as he was ordered to climb onto the sharp picket and remain there motionless until sunset."

A stake driven into the ground.

"The farmer hammered a sturdy picket into the soft earth to secure the fence line before the storm hit."