trimming

[ trim-ing ]

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.

trimming

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of trimming¹

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

Example Sentences

Which it is, despite some trimming of the drinks and wine lists and a format switch.

From Washington Post

Owner Louis Lassen improvised by giving him a patty of the restaurant’s steak trimmings between two pieces of toast.

From Washington Post

I haven’t been so successful, aside from saving some onion and garlic skins and veg trimmings in my freezer for periodic brothmaking.

From Washington Post

Ceramic blades tend to stay cooler throughout the trimming process.

From Popular-Science

Naturally, I have to impress him with my culinary talents, so I cross my fingers and cook a turkey-for-two and some of the trimmings to share in my 9×9 dining room.

From Washington Blade

Related Words

• decoration
• frill
• ornamentation