trimming

American  

[trim-ing] / ˈtrɪm ɪŋ /

noun

1. anything used or serving to decorate or complete.

   the trimmings of a Christmas tree.

2. Usually trimmings an accompaniment or garnish to a main dish.

   roast turkey with all the trimmings.

3. trimmings, pieces cut off in trimming, clipping, paring, or pruning.

4. the act of a person or thing that trims.

5. Informal. a beating or thrashing.

6. Informal. a defeat.

   Our team took quite a trimming.

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trimming British  

/ ˈtrɪmɪŋ /

noun

1. an extra piece used to decorate or complete

2. (plural) usual or traditional accompaniments

   roast turkey with all the trimmings

3. (plural) parts that are cut off

4. dialect (plural) ornaments; decorations

   Christmas trimmings

5. informal a reproof, beating, or defeat

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Etymology

Origin of trimming

First recorded in 1510–20; trim + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Trimming Apple violated a bit of investing wisdom: Sell your losers and let winners run.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Trimming toenails is nobody’s idea of a good time, no matter your age.

From Washington Post • May 1, 2023

The company, which goes by both Adam’s Tree Service and Adam’s Tree Removal and Trimming, is run by Adam Atiyeh.

From Washington Times • Feb. 14, 2023

Trimming it with those little scissors became my first foray into grooming — and into caring.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 11, 2022

“No. He does other work that isn’t so noisy. Trimming, fertilizing—that sort of thing. Quiet things that won’t wake the neighborhood.”

From "Lawn Boy" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• decoration
• frill
• ornamentation