ticking

American  

[tik-ing] / ˈtɪk ɪŋ /

noun

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

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

The unlit house was silent except for the ticking of a grandfather clock somewhere on the first floor.

From Literature

She added a thick black-and-white band above the ragged stitches and finished the blond rim with the traditional contrasting ticking.

From Los Angeles Times

Anyone trapped with their head under the surface is likely going to be starved for oxygen, so the clock was ticking.

From Los Angeles Times

U.S. labor-market data is beginning to confirm what leading technologists and CEOs have been warning: AI will disrupt jobs — and the clock is ticking.

From MarketWatch

Both brought up hard-fought half-centuries and with storm clouds looming, kept the scoreboard ticking over at a fast clip.

From Barron's

Related Words

• breathing
• contemporary