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

Earlier this month, Take-Two Interactive posted net bookings for its fiscal third quarter that came in below expectations, but the stock rallied after the company gave updates about the timing of new game releases, including Grand Theft Auto VI. —Michelle Fox, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2025

Pearson acknowledged the scale and timing of the switch were unusual, but said it was driven by the data, not outside pressure. —Robin Fields, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025

Here’s the minute-by-minute breakdown of what will happen in terms of timing. —Alex Zietlow and, Charlotte Observer, 17 Feb. 2025

Virgil volleyed with me on Hinge about timing, raising some degree of alarm in my head. —Maya Layne, Vogue, 14 Feb. 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