1. a unit of measurement in typography equal to 12 points or about 1/6 of an inch
Usage: printing; typography
2. an abnormal craving to eat substances that are not food
Usage: medical

Examples

• The designer set the text in 10-point type with 12-point leading, spacing the lines one pica apart.
• Magazine layouts often use pica measurements for precise column spacing.
• The child was diagnosed with pica after repeatedly eating dirt and paper.
• Pica can be dangerous if someone consumes toxic substances like paint chips.
• Nutritional deficiencies sometimes contribute to pica in young children.
• The typesetter measured the column width in picas rather than inches.