- present participle of time.
timing
Americannoun
-
Theater.
-
a synchronizing of the various parts of a production for theatrical effect.
-
the result or effect thus achieved.
-
(in acting) the act of adjusting one's tempo of speaking and moving for dramatic effect.
-
-
Sports. the control of the speed of a stroke, blow, etc., in order that it may reach its maximum at the proper moment.
-
the selecting of the best time or speed for doing something in order to achieve the desired or maximum result.
I went to ask for a raise, but my timing was bad, since the boss had indigestion.
-
an act or instance of observing and recording the elapsed time of an act, contest, process, etc.
noun
Usage
What does timing mean? Timing often means the selection of the exact time or speed at which to do something in order to get the desired or best result. One of the meanings of time as a verb is to choose the moment or occasion to do something, as in She timed that pass perfectly. Timing is the noun form of this. Timing is especially relevant in activities like sports and acting. In sports, timing involves actions like moving oneself or the ball at the right moment to gain an advantage or to score. In acting, timing involves choosing when to say a line or the speed at which to say it. Good comedic timing makes things funnier. In general, timing often involves when we choose to do something. Sometimes, though, the timing of something isn’t decided by choice. For example, when an event outside of anyone’s control simply happens at the wrong time, we describe it as bad timing. When a fortunate event happens at the right time, we call it good timing. Another use of the word timing refers to the recording or observation of how long it takes something to be done, especially some kind of contest, as in The official timekeeper is responsible for the timing of the race. Example: My package of replacements arrived right before I ran out of them—it was perfect timing!
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of timing
1200–50; 1590–1600 timing for def. 4; Middle English: hap, occurrence; see time, -ing 1
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.
See Examples For:
The timing for a visit didn’t work out when the Dodgers were in town to play the Nationals in April for a day-game laden series.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
The timing for the administration's announcement isn't clearly explained.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
“We suspect supply constraints around memory and other components will remain bottlenecks in the immediate term, and the timing around revenue recognition remains uncertain.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Researchers hope that this timing will help them better understand the solar dynamo, the process that creates and maintains the Sun's magnetic field.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 21, 2026
I came up for a second, took a deep breath, and swam for the rock, timing my strokes so I wouldn't be thrown onto the lethal surface.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
The SSA currently does not provide the same detailed, real-time metrics as it did in the past, providing only snapshots of its performance instead of running updated tabulations of caseloads, timings and backlogs, analysts said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
However, Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House's World Cup taskforce, says there are "discussions going on" about the timings for Iran's travel to and from their game against Egypt.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
They "do not offer sufficient information regarding key aspects such as timings and safe routes", Jakob Larsen, chief security officer at the shipping lobby BIMCO, said in a statement.
From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026
A bit unlucky with timings in qualifying but didn't put the laps together when they counted.
From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026
“But you know as well as I do timings the reason you’ve been finding the sweet spot all year.”
From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.