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.

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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

Her face looked worn out, but she was tense and pacing like a turkey before Christmas dinner.

From Literature

Some investors get nervous when everything around them is testing new highs, especially when assets such as gold and copper, which ostensibly tell different stories, are pacing the advance.

From Barron's

Some investors get nervous when everything around them is testing new highs, especially when assets such as gold and copper, which ostensibly tell different stories, are pacing the advance.

From Barron's

"I actually love the series, as do so many viewers, for its heat, its pacing, and its emotional pull," wrote Jim Downs.

From BBC

“The amount of computing necessary for AI is skyrocketing,” Huang told the Las Vegas audience Monday afternoon, pacing the stage wearing a shiny black jacket in a crocodile-scale pattern.

From The Wall Street Journal