pitting

¹

[ pit-ing ]

noun

1. the act or operation of digging a pit or pits. pit.
2. the act or operation of placing in a pit or pits. pit.
3. arranging or staging cockfights.

pitting

²

[ pit-ing ]

noun

1. the act of removing a pit or pits. pit.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pitting¹

First recorded in 1655–65; pit ¹ + -ing ¹

Origin of pitting²

pit ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Aside from the pitting process, the difference between the two is that clingstone fruits are juicier and slightly sweeter, making them ideal for canning and preserving.

From Washington Post

Perhaps the closest Senate race in the United States is the one pitting Bruce Braley against Joni Ernst in Iowa.

From The Daily Beast

Nothing puts nerds to the test more than pitting one sci-fi/fantasy series against another.

From The Daily Beast

By 2006 Al-Qaeda in Iraq had plunged the country into civil war, pitting Shia against Sunni.

From The Daily Beast

As the race pitting President Obama against Mitt Romney officially begins, campaign coverage gains superficiality and confusion.

From The Daily Beast

Howard Kurtz examines the nasty narratives, pitting Mr. Ineffectual against Mr. Moneybags.

From The Daily Beast

Again, the big howitzers led the infernal orchestra pitting the face of no man's land with jet black blotches.

From Project Gutenberg

A great admirer of the maxim, "Divide to reign," she had learned the art of perpetually pitting one force against another.

From Project Gutenberg

For I don't know how many Sundays, she has been pitting her position in the pew against yours in the pulpit!

From Project Gutenberg

There have been times when I could have found you quite useful in pitting you against ruffians who had tried to injure me.

From Project Gutenberg

It has too often consisted in the mere pitting of one linguistic prejudice against another.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drilling