mass
noun
a body of coherent matter, usually of indefinite shape and often of considerable size.
were massing
-
past progressiveof mass.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Border Patrol agents were massing nearby, creating a show of force outside the event.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2025
As the clock ticked on the ultimatum, hundreds of thousands of Israeli army reservists were massing near Gaza’s northern border.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 13, 2023
Johnson said Putin made the remarks during a “very long” and “most extraordinary” call in early February last year, as Russian troops were massing along the Ukraine border.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 30, 2023
There were unconfirmed reports on Thursday that Syrian soldiers and pro-government militia members were massing for a ground invasion of east Aleppo.
From New York Times ● Sep. 29, 2016
There was smoke, clatter, mud, and confusion, as if an army were massing for an assault on Chicago.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
