Pinkerton UK /ˈpɪŋkətən/US /ˈpɪŋkɚtən/ noun1 •(old-fashioned) An operative employed by the Pinkerton National Detective Agency founded by Allan Pinkerton (1819–1884).My heart wells up in admiration of the man, as I think of his participation in the memorable struggle of Homestead. He fought the Pinkertons, the myrmidons of Capital. — 1912 formsPinkertons