a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
"I fished my keys out of my back pocket just before we left the house."
(bowling) the space between the headpin and the pins behind it on the right or left
"the ball hit the pocket and gave him a perfect strike"
a local region of low pressure or descending air that causes a plane to lose height suddenly
"The pilot had to apply maximum thrust as the aircraft plunged into a sudden pocket, causing the altitude gauge to drop rapidly."
a small isolated group of people
"they were concentrated in pockets inside the city"
"the battle was won except for cleaning up pockets of resistance"
an opening at the corner or on the side of a billiard table into which billiard balls are struck
"After lining up his shot, he watched in frustration as the cue ball rolled straight into the pocket."
A bag stitched to an item of clothing, used for carrying small items.
"He quickly pulled his wallet out of his jacket pocket without making a sound."
In plain English: A pocket is a small bag sewn into your clothes to hold things like keys or money.
"She checked her pocket to make sure she had enough money for the bus fare."
Usage: Use "pocket" to refer specifically to the fabric pouch sewn into clothing or bags for holding small objects. Do not use it to describe general storage spaces unless they are literally attached to a garment or container.
To put (something) into a pocket.
"He quickly slipped his wallet into his back pocket before heading to the store."
In plain English: To pocket something means to put it into your pocket.
"He slipped the coin into his pocket before leaving the store."
Usage: Use "pocket" as a verb when you physically place an item inside your clothing pocket or metaphorically secure something for yourself without effort. Avoid using it to mean simply holding or carrying an object unless that object is actually stored in a pouch-like space.
Of a size suitable for putting into a pocket.
"The compact camera was small enough to fit comfortably in my back pocket."
In plain English: Pocket means something that is so small you can easily put it in your pocket.
"The pocket watch in his jacket fell out when he sat down."
Usage: Use "pocket" as an adjective to describe items small enough to fit comfortably inside a pocket, such as a pocket watch or pocket knife. This usage emphasizes the object's compact size relative to standard clothing pockets rather than its literal function.
A surname.
"My neighbor's last name is Pocket, so he introduced himself as Mr. Pocket at the party."
The word "pocket" comes from the Old Northern French diminutive poquet, which originally meant a small bag or sack. It traveled into Middle English as pocket before eventually referring to the pouch sewn onto clothing.