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pitting

1 American  
[pit-ing] / ˈpɪt ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act or operation of digging a pit or pits.

  2. the act or operation of placing in a pit or pits.

  3. arranging or staging cockfights.


pitting 2 American  
[pit-ing] / ˈpɪt ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of removing a pit or pits.


Etymology

Origin of pitting1

First recorded in 1655–65; pit 1 + -ing 1

Origin of pitting2

pit 2 + -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Pitting dealers against each other forces them to cut into their own margins to win business, rather than simply passing along standard rebates funded by automakers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

Pitting the Delaney clause’s strict legal requirements against advances in cancer research has been a longstanding challenge for the agency, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2025

"Pitting onshore against offshore is dangerous and nonsensical - we can and must have both," she added.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2022

Pitting the 12S Ultra side by side against some of the current class leaders in smartphone cameras, there are clear situations where the bigger sensor makes a difference.

From The Verge • Jul. 26, 2022

Pitting one experience against another has gone to the making of many a cynic and not a few despairing souls.

From The Threshold Grace by Ainsworth, Percy C.

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