- present participle of time.
timing
Americannoun
-
timings
plural
-
Theater.
-
a synchronizing of the various parts of a production for theatrical effect.
-
the result or effect thus achieved.
-
(in acting) the act of adjusting one's tempo of speaking and moving for dramatic effect.
-
-
Sports. the control of the speed of a stroke, blow, etc., in order that it may reach its maximum at the proper moment.
-
the selecting of the best time or speed for doing something in order to achieve the desired or maximum result.
I went to ask for a raise, but my timing was bad, since the boss had indigestion.
-
an act or instance of observing and recording the elapsed time of an act, contest, process, etc.
noun
Usage
What does timing mean? Timing often means the selection of the exact time or speed at which to do something in order to get the desired or best result. One of the meanings of time as a verb is to choose the moment or occasion to do something, as in She timed that pass perfectly. Timing is the noun form of this. Timing is especially relevant in activities like sports and acting. In sports, timing involves actions like moving oneself or the ball at the right moment to gain an advantage or to score. In acting, timing involves choosing when to say a line or the speed at which to say it. Good comedic timing makes things funnier. In general, timing often involves when we choose to do something. Sometimes, though, the timing of something isn’t decided by choice. For example, when an event outside of anyone’s control simply happens at the wrong time, we describe it as bad timing. When a fortunate event happens at the right time, we call it good timing. Another use of the word timing refers to the recording or observation of how long it takes something to be done, especially some kind of contest, as in The official timekeeper is responsible for the timing of the race. Example: My package of replacements arrived right before I ran out of them—it was perfect timing!
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of timing
1200–50; 1590–1600 timing for def. 4; Middle English: hap, occurrence; see time, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
For Charlotte Bayford in Essex it's all about timing.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
My focus is not on the substantive merits of the charges, the government’s exercise of its prosecutorial discretion to pursue these charges, or the close-to-an-election timing of the initiation of the prosecution.
From Slate ● Nov. 3, 2026
“With the timing and location of disruptions nearly impossible to predict.”
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026
Other than the projected deliveries through November the timing of deliveries is murky.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
“I can’t think of worse timing to tell you, but...”
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, Energy Minister Kate White said that the energy secretary would make separate decisions on the two sites, but gave no indication of the timings of an announcement.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
In Guernsey and Jersey the timings will be about 18:21, 19:17 and 20:10.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
The SSA currently does not provide the same detailed, real-time metrics as it did in the past, providing only snapshots of its performance instead of running updated tabulations of caseloads, timings and backlogs, analysts said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
India has heat action plans that vary from state to state, and are often limited to measures such as heat alerts, changes in school and work timings, water distribution and temporary cooling spaces.
From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 2026
In front of him were his microphone and a music stand holding the script marked with cues and timings from the previous rehearsal.
From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
