killing

1 of 2

noun

kill·​ing ˈki-liŋ How to pronounce killing (audio)
1
: the act of one that kills
2
3
: a sudden notable gain or profit
made a killing in the stock market

killing

2 of 2

adjective

1
: that kills or relates to killing
2
: highly amusing
3
: extremely difficult to deal with
the suspense is killing
also : calling for great strength, stamina, or endurance
a killing schedule
killingly adverb

Examples of killing in a Sentence

Noun The oil spill is responsible for the killing of thousands of birds. Adjective he's usually quiet, but occasionally unleashes some killing remark that cracks everyone up a killing schedule that requires the touring company to play in a different city every night
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
Superintendent Moore is very popular among the miners here, and so much feeling was aroused over the killing that officers took Barnes to the jail in Ozark tonight as a precaution against violence. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 6 Feb. 2025 After the sentencing for Dobson's killing, he was accused of angrily breaking a sprinkler head in his holding cell, which flooded the courtroom. Louis Casiano, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
The anti-trapping, anti-killing anything movement has also taken a toll. John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Jan. 2022 For the few pests that do show up, first spray with non-killing repellents such as garlic and garlic pepper tea. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 26 July 2021 See all Example Sentences for killing 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of killing was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near killing

Cite this Entry

“Killing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killing. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

killing

noun
kill·​ing
ˈkil-iŋ
: a sudden large profit

More from Merriam-Webster on killing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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