timing

noun

tim·​ing ˈtī-miŋ 

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

Examples of timing in a Sentence

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

And given an incoming deregulatory-minded administration and Congress, the timing is particularly apt. —Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025

Madigan will likely be back on the stand for cross examination by prosecutors at some point Monday, though the timing is uncertain because U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey plans to hold arguments first on what specific topics prosecutors can cover. —Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025

Jenny Rowland-Shea, director of public lands policy for the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, said the timing of Biden’s designations was key, given that Trump’s record on public lands left many doubtful that monument campaigns would advance during his second term. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025

But the timing of it was only disclosed Saturday, in a brief footnote of a DOJ court filing to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon of Florida, who was appointed to the bench by Trump. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing timing

• timing belt
• timing chain

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