pencil
noun
a slender tube of wood, metal, plastic, etc., containing a core or strip of graphite, a solid coloring material, or the like, used for writing or drawing.
were penciling
-
past progressiveof pencil.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.
Fed policymakers had previously indicated in their September Summary of Economic Projections that they were penciling in rate cuts at both the October and December meetings.
From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2025
Fed officials have said they were penciling in three cuts to rates this year, as inflation hopefully cools toward their 2% target from its peak above 9% two summers ago.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2024
That’s less than the full percentage point of cuts they were penciling in as of June.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 20, 2023
Among 24 analysts who answered an additional question, 12 predicted U.S. residential rents will rise between 2%-5% over the next 12-months and 10 were penciling in a 5%-10% increase.
From Reuters ● Aug. 27, 2021
“They were penciling me to death,” Liptrap said.
From Slate ● Feb. 17, 2016
