timing

1 of 2

noun

tim·​ing ˈtī-miŋ How to pronounce timing (audio)
1
a
: placement or occurrence in time
the timing of the sale couldn't have been better
b
: the ability to select the precise moment for doing something for optimum effect
a boxer with impeccable timing
2
: observation and recording (as by a stopwatch) of the elapsed time of an act, action, or process

timing

2 of 2

present participle of time entry 2

Examples of timing in a Sentence

Noun The timing of the sale could not have been better. Her timing was a little off and she missed the shot. an athlete with impeccable timing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
That’s awkward timing for a central bank that wants to stay out of politics, and most observers expect the Fed to hold rates steady. — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026 Experts interviewed by New Scientist’s Carissa Wong predict that some jurisdictions may approve the vaccine as soon as 2027, although timing remains uncertain and manufacturing costs could complicate access. — Mike McRae 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026 In one instance, a simple game of catch later evolved into variations that included multiple objects, timing rules, and even juggling. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026 Was great timing to bring class an reverence to The Star Bangled Banner after the disrespectful behavior towards it this week by some classless individuals. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for timing

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of timing was in 1647

Phrases Containing timing

Rhymes for timing

See All Rhymes for timing

Browse Nearby Words

timidness
timing
timing belt
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Timing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timing. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

timing

noun
tim·​ing
ˈtī-miŋ
1
: selection for best effect of the exact moment for beginning or doing something
2
: observation and recording (as by a stopwatch) of the time taken by something

More from Merriam-Webster on timing

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about timing

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All