trimming

American  

[trim-ing] / ˈtrɪm ɪŋ /

noun

1. anything used or serving to decorate or complete.

   the trimmings of a Christmas tree.

2. Usually trimmings an accompaniment or garnish to a main dish.

   roast turkey with all the trimmings.

3. trimmings, pieces cut off in trimming, clipping, paring, or pruning.

4. the act of a person or thing that trims.

5. Informal. a beating or thrashing.

6. Informal. a defeat.

   Our team took quite a trimming.

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trimming British  

/ ˈtrɪmɪŋ /

noun

1. an extra piece used to decorate or complete

2. (plural) usual or traditional accompaniments

   roast turkey with all the trimmings

3. (plural) parts that are cut off

4. dialect (plural) ornaments; decorations

   Christmas trimmings

5. informal a reproof, beating, or defeat

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Etymology

Origin of trimming

First recorded in 1510–20; trim + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Some plans also have been trimming extra over-the-counter benefits such as meal benefits and transportation, Freed said.

From MarketWatch

Berkshire opened a new $350 million stake in New York Times while trimming Apple and Bank of America.

From Barron's

An absolutely revolting clump of dark hair that probably means Camille was trimming her bangs again.

From Literature

But finding this arresting sequence first required trimming a very long setup of patrons entering the theater and sitting down, and the camera discovering Nora, frozen in fear, in the back of the dark stage.

From Los Angeles Times

And yes, despite your editor’s constant trimmings, you’ll still kick off emphatic sentences with “Yes” more than 50 times.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• decoration
• frill
• ornamentation