mass
noun
a body of coherent matter, usually of indefinite shape and often of considerable size.
had been massing
-
past perfect progressiveof mass.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
Russian troops, tanks and missile launchers had been massing in Belgorod, a Russian city just 90 minutes from the Ukrainian city’s center.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 23, 2022
For weeks Tudjman's generals had been massing troops around Krajina, threatening to retake the breakaway province unless the Serbs agreed to rejoin Croatia.
From Time Magazine Archive
For weeks, he had been massing white-painted tanks, artillery, ski troops, cavalry, aircraft.
From Time Magazine Archive
The enemy had been massing along the whole line, and when Kershaw reached the farthest limit of the open field he was met by overwhelming numbers.
From History of Kershaw's Brigade by D. Augustus Dickert
If France had been massing troops on your frontier you would at once have asked her to state her intentions, or even possibly have taken action without asking her.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 153, December 26, 1917 by Various
