pairing

American  

[pair-ing] / ˈpɛər ɪŋ /

noun

1. a coupling.

2. Cell Biology. the lining up of the two homologous chromosomes or chromatids of each chromosome pair in meiosis or mitosis.

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Etymology

Origin of pairing

First recorded in 1605–15; pair + -ing ¹

Explanation

A pairing is a match between two things or people, like the perfect pairing of chocolate and peanut butter. Use this noun for two folks who work together as a perfect unit, like the pairing of your baseball team's pitcher and catcher, or two things that seem made for each other, like the classic pairing of grilled cheese and tomato soup. You can also describe the act of sorting people into pairs this way: "Our family's secret Santa pairing meant that I had to buy a gift for my great uncle again."

Example Sentences

Beyond the tool adaptations, Ferreri said the farm is also shifting to "regenerative" practices, such as plowing the soil less deeply and maximizing space by rotating crops or pairing plants.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

Borgli digs deep into Emma’s psyche, pairing explanations from current-day Emma with glimpses of her younger self, wonderfully realized by Jordyn Curet.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

This pairing points to a more serious underlying issue known as sarcopenic obesity.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

The pairing felt inevitable but long past its prime.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Killjoy style manuals tell writers to avoid alliteration, but good prose is enlivened with moments of poetry, like this line with its pleasing meter and its impish pairing of marital and medical.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• union