touch
verb (used with object)
to put the hand, finger, etc., on or into contact with (something) to feel it.
had been touching
-
past perfect progressiveof touch.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.
Nordbrock had a small mark on his arm, “where it had been touching my shin,” MacLeod said, but no other signs of trauma.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2025
The defendant said she was "really worried" about her family, saying they had "creepy eyes" and adding that she had "problems with spirits" and "spirits had been touching her".
From BBC ● May 3, 2022
After every meal, I have to sweep under the table and wipe down the table and chair, which he had been touching with his disgusting hands.
From Slate ● Dec. 14, 2018
His mother, Diana, painted his head back home in Athens, Ga., on Dec. 28, and his wife, Mandy, had been touching it up since they arrived in California.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 1, 2018
He reached over to help his brother get the toilet paper off, which was tricky because he didn’t want to be touching toilet paper that had been touching dead stuff either.
From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds
