doing

noun

do·​ing ˈdü-iŋ How to pronounce doing (audio)
1
: the act of performing or executing : action
that will take a great deal of doing
2
doings plural
a
: things that are done or that occur : goings-on
everyday doings
b
: social activities

Examples of doing in a Sentence

It's the doing of the good deed that is important, not the thanks you receive. is that mess in the kitchen your doing?
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.
Some of it has been by our own doing. John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 There is plenty of money to spend, but Dubas doesn’t want to lock himself into risky, long-term deals right now when the team is in transition and several bad contracts — some of which were his doing — remain on the books. Josh Yohe, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025 How much of Oahu's altered landscape was our doing? Dana Taylor, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025 Our bodies are not up to us, nor are our possessions, our reputations, or our public offices, or, that is whatever is not our doing. Sebastian Purcell august 18, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doing

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of doing was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Doing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doing. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

doing

noun
do·​ing ˈdü-iŋ How to pronounce doing (audio)
1
: the act of performing or carrying out : action
it will take some doing to beat us
2
plural
a
: things that are done or that occur
everyday doings
b
: social activities
big doings tonight

More from Merriam-Webster on doing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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