timing

noun

tim·​ing ˈtī-miŋ How to pronounce timing (audio)
1
a
: placement or occurrence in time
the timing of the sale couldn't have been better
b
: the ability to select the precise moment for doing something for optimum effect
a boxer with impeccable timing
2
: observation and recording (as by a stopwatch) of the elapsed time of an act, action, or process

Examples of timing in a Sentence

The timing of the sale could not have been better. Her timing was a little off and she missed the shot. an athlete with impeccable timing
Recent Examples on the Web Of course, Spencer’s memoir is hitting shelves at the height of new interest in the Royal Family, though the timing is purely coincidental (the book was always scheduled for release on March 12). Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024 The timing is particularly bad due to the recent Seacom cable break in the Red Sea, which has also degraded internet links from Europe along Africa’s east coast. Kylie Robison, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 The timing of DeMayo’s departure is unusual, given that X-Men ’97 is set to premiere on Disney Plus roughly a week from now, on March 20th. Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 12 Mar. 2024 The timing couldn’t be worse: Her beloved grandmother on the East Coast is dying and her husband’s acting career is finally taking off. Jim Ruland, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Their timing is superb in that the rise of the Mountain West creates several intriguing regional options, including Pullman native Danny Sprinkle, who has done fine work in his first season at Utah State. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 Sleep physicians sometimes use it to change or reset a person’s sleep timing. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024 Now, this spring—the Lenten timing is appropriate, perhaps, for this God-haunted writer—there’s a Shanley double bill. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 This time, however, Kiki's timing wasn't ideal for his owner. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'timing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of timing was circa 1659

Dictionary Entries Near timing

Cite this Entry

“Timing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timing. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

timing

noun
tim·​ing
ˈtī-miŋ
1
: selection for best effect of the exact moment for beginning or doing something
2
: observation and recording (as by a stopwatch) of the time taken by something

More from Merriam-Webster on timing

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