taking

American  

[tey-king] / ˈteɪ kɪŋ /

noun

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

2. the state of being taken.

3. something that is 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); see take, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

One of the most celebrated images of the 1930s captures a crew of workers, taking a break high above Manhattan.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

The dim crimson haze can be easy to overlook, but it is created by powerful activity taking place far above Earth.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

Then we’re heading home, giving the baby a bath, I’m taking a shower and we’re going to bed at like 9:30 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has never hidden from taking tough decisions or throwing down wild cards, so his eyebrow-raising World Cup squad follows true to form.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

“You knew I was taking up your evening after you’d been working here since early this morning, but you still came anyway.”

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