tithing

American  

[tahy-thing] / ˈtaɪ ðɪŋ /

noun

1. a tithe.

2. a giving or an exacting of tithes.

3. a grouping of men, originally 10 in number, for legal and security purposes in the Anglo-Saxon and Norman system of frankpledge.

4. a rural division in England, originally regarded as one tenth of a hundred, descended from this system.

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tithing British  

/ ˈtaɪðɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. a tithe; tenth

   2. the exacting or paying of tithes

2. a company of ten householders in the system of frankpledge

3. a rural division, originally regarded as a tenth of a hundred

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Etymology

Origin of tithing

First recorded before 950; Middle English; Old English tigething; equivalent to tithe + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Televangelists such as Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, and Kenneth Copeland were preaching fire and brimstone and the importance of tithing.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2025

According to the affidavit, Jiang had been a member of the church since April and had given the church a donation of more than $450 in June as part of a tithing challenge.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 27, 2024

By the time Caviezel interrupts the end credits to comfort the audience and pass the tithing plate, even I felt primed to chip in for his earnestness.

From Salon • Jul. 22, 2023

Lifeway Research released on Tuesday results from a September poll showing that 77% of churchgoers say tithing “is a biblical command that still applies today,” down 6 percentage points from a 2017 survey.

From Washington Times • Apr. 26, 2023

My mother urged me to start tithing as a way of thanking God for all the good luck.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane