waiting

American  

[wey-ting] / ˈweɪ tɪŋ /

noun

1. a period of waiting; pause, interval, or delay.

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adjective

1. serving or being in attendance.

   waiting man;

   waiting maid;

   waiting woman.

idioms

1. in waiting, in attendance, as upon a royal personage.

Other Word Forms

• waitingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of waiting

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English (noun); wait, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Back in Newport Beach, Horning isn’t waiting for the outcome.

From The Wall Street Journal

As we spoke by phone, Ceballos peeked into his waiting room and said three patients were from the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

There is no credible alternative government in exile waiting in the wings.

From BBC

We were just waiting for our parents at the end to pick us up and the coach was a football fan, so we just got out a soft ball.

From BBC

He was waiting with colleagues in the back of the public meeting room during most of the afternoon, ready with friendly greetings for people as they passed by.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accessible
• apt
• handy
• qualified
• ripe