Showing results for "ticking"

• present participle of tick.

ticking

American  

[tik-ing] / ˈtɪk ɪŋ /

noun

1. a strong cotton fabric, usually twilled, used especially in making cloth ticks.

2. a similar cloth in satin weave or Jacquard, used especially for mattress covers.

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ticking British  

/ ˈtɪkɪŋ /

noun

1. a strong cotton fabric, often striped, used esp for mattress and pillow covers

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Etymology

Origin of ticking

First recorded in 1635–45; tick ³ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ticking

In this picture, particles display both wave like and particle like behavior, and the familiar flow of time must arise from relationships between different parts of the system rather than from an independent ticking clock.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026

That is because the clock has continued ticking since the five-year ban on public office was handed down.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026

The music and cheers blur into a low hum, drowned out by the deafening sound of a ticking clock only Jack can hear.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

Raises become more rare but hiring plans are ticking up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

The ticking of the big clock became so loud that President Washington and President Lincoln, who occupied the wall space to either side of it, exchanged a look of shared displeasure.

From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord

Related Words

• breathing
• contemporary