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

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.

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"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."

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Anderson's constant demands for the ball, his ability to keep England ticking over, are hallmarks of his quality.

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The exasperation over a lost water bottle, the frustration of mismatched shin guards, the stress of ticking off a mental check-list when rushing out the door—I loved how ordinary these problems felt.

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Related Words

• breathing 
• contemporary