A picket (archaically, picquet [variant form piquet]) is a soldier, or small unit of soldiers, placed on a defensive line forward of a friendly position to provide timely warning and screening against an enemy advance. It can also refer to any unit (e.g.
In military contexts, a picket refers to a group of troops stationed in advance of a main force to provide early warning and protection against enemy advances. This concept can also be applied to other situations where a small unit is tasked with screening and warning.