taking

American  

[tey-king] / ˈteɪ kɪŋ /

noun

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

2. the state of being taken. taken.

3. something that is taken. taken.

4. an action by the federal government, as a regulatory ruling, that imposes a restriction on the use of private property for which the owner must be compensated.

5. takings, receipts, especially of money earned or gained.

6. Archaic. a state of agitation or distress.

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adjective

1. captivating, winning, or pleasing.

2. Archaic. infectious or contagious.

taking British  

/ ˈteɪkɪŋ /

adjective

1. charming, fascinating, or intriguing

2. informal infectious; catching

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noun

1. something taken

2. (plural) receipts; earnings

Other Word Forms

• takingly adverb
• takingness noun
• untaking adjective

Etymology

Origin of taking

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English takyng (gerund); take, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Then in 2022, she started covering the defamation trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, sharing salacious stories from her sources, including a call from Depp, and taking Depp’s side.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Arteta will be desperate to triumph come May, having won only the FA Cup and the Community Shield since taking charge in 2019.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

The guidance suggests "screen swaps" - taking screens away to read stories together or playing games.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Allies say she remains undecided but is taking steps to preserve the option of a campaign.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

You turn in a slow circle, taking in the washed-out yellow-and-green signs pointing to the camping showers.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith