pacing

American  

[pey-sing] / ˈpeɪ sɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or result of setting the rate of movement or progress, as of a story, movie, lesson, etc..

   The pacing of a video presentation must be appropriate; too slow is just as common (and as bad) as too fast.

2. the act of walking back and forth, as to expend nervous energy.

   For several minutes after she entered, he continued his restless pacing to and fro as if unaware of her presence.

3. the act of walking with slow, regular steps.

   Above my head, at intervals, I heard the pacing of the sentry upon the roof.

4. the act or process of measuring something by counting the steps taken to walk its length at a normal stride.

   Though surveyors find it a quick and easy way to measure distance in the field, accurate pacing can only be accomplished by practice.

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adjective

1. walking back and forth, as to expend nervous energy.

   I tried to focus my attention on anything but the rapidly pacing detective, who was deep in thought.

2. walking with slow, regular steps.

   Seeing the pacing security guard in front of the sliding doors, she looked around quickly for another way out.

3. (of a horse or other animal) moving in such a way that the feet on the same side are lifted and put down together.

   A pacing horse will swing its head from side to side as opposed to up and down.

Etymology

Origin of pacing

First recorded in 1450–1500; pac(e) ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses; pac(e) ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses

Example Sentences

Generally the play surfs along on waves of lively, crisp dialogue at a series of meetings, with the well-orchestrated direction of Kenny Leon keeping the pacing brisk and the tone light.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Simon Stone’s incisive production, first mounted in Aix, makes visual how the complex strands of the two stories wind together, mirroring the opera’s varied pacing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Scott said, such as head bobbing, swaying and pacing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

"If we do the right thing early in the illness, and support people with the right level of pacing, you can prevent that deterioration in a lot of cases."

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

I’m pacing back and forth on the steps in front of my building.

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner