pacing

American  

[pey-sing] / ˈpeɪ sɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or result of setting the rate of movement or progress, as of a story, movie, lesson, etc..

   The pacing of a video presentation must be appropriate; too slow is just as common (and as bad) as too fast.

2. the act of walking back and forth, as to expend nervous energy.

   For several minutes after she entered, he continued his restless pacing to and fro as if unaware of her presence.

3. the act of walking with slow, regular steps.

   Above my head, at intervals, I heard the pacing of the sentry upon the roof.

4. the act or process of measuring something by counting the steps taken to walk its length at a normal stride.

   Though surveyors find it a quick and easy way to measure distance in the field, accurate pacing can only be accomplished by practice.

---

adjective

1. walking back and forth, as to expend nervous energy.

   I tried to focus my attention on anything but the rapidly pacing detective, who was deep in thought.

2. walking with slow, regular steps.

   Seeing the pacing security guard in front of the sliding doors, she looked around quickly for another way out.

3. (of a horse or other animal) moving in such a way that the feet on the same side are lifted and put down together.

   A pacing horse will swing its head from side to side as opposed to up and down.

Etymology

Origin of pacing

First recorded in 1450–1500; pac(e) ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses; pac(e) ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses

Example Sentences

Both diets reduced calorie intake, but the fasting and protein pacing group showed greater weight loss and more pronounced shifts in the gut microbiome.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

Even in the moments it falters, “Backrooms” is like someone coming across the cage we’ve been pacing around in, and pointing out that the bars were always big enough to slip through.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

The latest weekly jobless claims numbers remained relatively low at just 209,000, pending home sales were robust, and the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow tool is pacing for 4.3% growth in the second quarter.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

If the plate umpire goes, with it goes one of baseball’s most entertaining/maddening presences–a puff-chested judge and jury, a baked-in villain, an essential part of the game’s pacing and flow.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

I’m pacing back and forth on the steps in front of my building.

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner