Showing results for "timing"

• present participle of time.

timing

American  

[tahy-ming] / ˈtaɪ mɪŋ /

noun

• timings
  plural

1. Theater.

   1. a synchronizing of the various parts of a production for theatrical effect.

   2. the result or effect thus achieved.

   3. (in acting) the act of adjusting one's tempo of speaking and moving for dramatic effect.

2. Sports. the control of the speed of a stroke, blow, etc., in order that it may reach its maximum at the proper moment.

3. 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.

4. an act or instance of observing and recording the elapsed time of an act, contest, process, etc.

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timing British  

/ ˈtaɪmɪŋ /

noun

1. the process or art of regulating actions or remarks in relation to others to produce the best effect, as in music, the theatre, sport, etc

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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

• timings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of timing

1200–50; 1590–1600 timing for def. 4; Middle English: hap, occurrence; see time, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

timing timings

Operating income totaled $858 million, a 17% slide from 2025, driven largely by higher programming costs tied to the timing of new rights deals.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

The timing matters because investors are weighing whether to trim stock exposure after the S&P 500 rebounded from its recent pullback and climbed back to a record closing high on Tuesday.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026

Investors in BMS might view the timing as odd given that the company is expected to release results on three drug trials that could significantly change its valuation, according to Bank of America.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

The Via Alpina route is considered so arduous and technical that only a handful of runners have ever attempted it under formal timing.

From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026

“I can’t think of worse timing to tell you, but...”

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

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

However, Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House's World Cup taskforce, says there are "discussions going on" about the timings for Iran's travel to and from their game against Egypt.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

They "do not offer sufficient information regarding key aspects such as timings and safe routes", said Jakob Larsen, chief security officer at the shipping lobby BIMCO.

From Barron's ● Jun. 16, 2026

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that the overarching idea was for the ceasefire to last for Victory Day itself, May 9, but that the precise timings would be determined by Putin.

From Barron's ● Apr. 30, 2026

“But you know as well as I do timings the reason you’ve been finding the sweet spot all year.”

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner