honing

American  

[hoh-ning] / ˈhoʊ nɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or process of sharpening something on a hone or whetstone.

   The precision alignment of the cutting machine’s knife is not affected by the honing of the sharp edge.

2. the act or process of improving or perfecting a skill, program, idea, etc..

   In the third and fourth years the emphasis is on advanced training, with further honing of skills and attainment of competency.

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adjective

1. serving to sharpen or perfect.

   It is always a honing experience for us to come here and answer your questions—we leave a little sharper than we were before.

Etymology

Origin of honing

First recorded in 1790–1800; hone ¹ + -ing ¹ for the noun senses; hone ¹ + -ing ² for the adjective sense

Example Sentences

Before long, a teenage Gary was singing in clubs up and down the Florida coast, honing the skills that would land him a major recording contract.

From The Wall Street Journal

Walking on the Moon by 2030, building a lunar base, and then perhaps on to Mars: after 30 years of honing its expertise, China is challenging the United States' supremacy in spaceflight.

From Barron's

Fitzpatrick - already a major winner with his 2022 US Open triumph - will spend the next fortnight honing his game for the demands of the Masters.

From BBC

Russia has been honing and testing similar infrastructure for the past year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Autism therapy can include teaching young children to follow directions, practicing chores or honing communication skills, and is mostly administered by registered behavior technicians, the lower-wage workers.

From The Wall Street Journal