making

American  

[mey-king] / ˈmeɪ kɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that makes.

   The making of a violin requires great skill.

2. structure; constitution; makeup.

3. the means or cause of success or advancement.

   to be the making of someone.

4. Usually makings. capacity or potential.

   He has the makings of a first-rate officer.

5. makings,

   1. material of which something may be made.

      the makings for a tossed salad.

   2. Older Slang. paper and tobacco with which to make a hand-rolled cigarette.

6. something made.

7. the quantity made.

   a making of butter.

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idioms

1. in the making, in the process of being made; developing or evolving; growing.

   Our space scientists see history in the making.

making British  

/ ˈmeɪkɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. the act of a person or thing that makes or the process of being made

   2. ( in combination )

      watchmaking

2. to cause the success of

3. in the process of becoming or being made

   a politician in the making

4. something made or the quantity of something made at one time

5. make-up; composition

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• self-making
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of making

First recorded before 1150; Middle English; Old English macung; make ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Henry Asher, president of the Northstar Group, which owns shares of Berkshire, said he is looking past the stock’s declines and hopes Abel will continue making deals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

According to the merger agreement, shareholders receive one Equinox share for every Orla share plus a negligible amount of cash, making the transaction almost a purely one-for-one all-stock deal.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

While he acknowledged making “personal mistakes” outside his marriage and apologized to his family, he said his actions didn’t violate House ethics rules.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

Veteran former captain Knight has struggled for form this summer, leading to doubts around her place in the side, but she looked near her best in making 70 not out from 42 balls.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

His mouth is still moving when I push my way through it, leaving him and his lies to drip into a cold puddle of his own making.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• formulation