picket fence: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to informal; used in everyday speech, literature, and media commentary.
Quick answer
What does “picket fence” mean?
A type of low, decorative fence made from a series of pointed wooden slats (pickets) attached to horizontal rails.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of low, decorative fence made from a series of pointed wooden slats (pickets) attached to horizontal rails.
A symbol of suburbia, domesticity, family life, and traditional middle-class values; often used metaphorically to represent conformity, safety, or a wholesome, sheltered lifestyle.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The object is identical. The metaphorical association with suburban American life is stronger in American English.
Connotations
UK: Neutral or slightly quaint garden feature. US: Stronger cultural icon of the 'American Dream' and suburbia.
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to its prominence in suburban architecture and cultural discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “picket fence” in a Sentence
[verb] + picket fence: build, paint, install, surround with, dream ofVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “picket fence” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The picket-fence aesthetic is less common in modern British gardens.
American English
- He longed for the picket-fence, two-car-garage version of success.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in real estate marketing: 'a home with a charming picket fence'.
Academic
Used in sociology, cultural studies, and literature as a symbol of conformity or the suburban ideal.
Everyday
Common for describing a garden or property feature, or metaphorically for a lifestyle.
Technical
Used in architecture, landscaping, and carpentry to specify a fence type.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “picket fence”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “picket fence”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “picket fence”
- Using 'picket' as a verb here (e.g., 'They picket the fence'). Confusing it with 'wicket fence' (a different, gate-like structure).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be any colour. However, 'white picket fence' is a fixed phrase representing the cultural ideal.
No. 'Picket' alone can be a verb (to protest) or a noun (a stake, or a protester). 'Picket fence' is a compound noun.
A picket fence is low, decorative, and has gaps. A palisade is a tall, solid defensive wall made of large, pointed logs.
Yes, the literal object is common. The strong American cultural metaphor is understood through media, though it's not a native British cultural symbol.
A type of low, decorative fence made from a series of pointed wooden slats (pickets) attached to horizontal rails.
Picket fence is usually neutral to informal; used in everyday speech, literature, and media commentary. in register.
Picket fence: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɪk.ɪt ˌfens/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɪk.ɪt ˌfɛns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the white-picket-fence lifestyle”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture the word 'picket' as a pointed stick. A fence made of many pickets is a PICKET FENCE.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A HOUSE / THE AMERICAN DREAM IS A HOUSE WITH A WHITE PICKET FENCE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary metaphorical meaning of 'white picket fence' in modern discourse?