tick
noun
a slight, sharp, recurring click, tap, or beat, as of a clock.
were ticking
-
past progressiveof tick.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.
U.S. stock futures were ticking up following yesterday’s small losses for major markets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
West Indian captain Shai Hope said his team were "ticking more boxes" after they won a reduced-overs third and final T20 international against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Saturday.
From Barron's ● Jan. 31, 2026
But a state survey of Texas schools found that rates of exemptions were ticking upwards for MMR and other required vaccines.
From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2025
Up in Shoreline, with Zoe out alone in the snow, the hours were ticking by.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 25, 2022
He just knew the seconds were ticking away and to look at it would only make the tension worse.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
