ticking

[tik-ing]

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.

ticking

/ ˈtɪkɪŋ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ticking¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ticking¹

C17: from _tick ³

Example Sentences

As I pull yet another stubby naked fork from the dishwasher, unsheathed from its housing by the sani-heat, I recognize the clock is ticking.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Lenders have responded cautiously, with some edging rates higher and the overall average ticking up slightly," said Simon Gammon, managing partner at mortgage advisers Knight Frank Finance.

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But the clock is ticking to find a solution that gives these animals a better, safer life.

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Increasing the urgency, Halligan faces a ticking clock on her tenure—and arguments that she isn’t legally allowed to serve in the role at all.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"If I'd have ballooned up in weight and I'd not been in the gym just ticking over, then I wouldn't have been able to take the fight and I wouldn't be in this position today."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• breathing 
• contemporary