doing

noun

do·​ing ˈdü-iŋ How to pronounce doing (audio)
Synonyms of doingnext
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.
Glover did take time from more serious doings to appear in the stellar, surreal comedy Sorry to Bother You (2018), the affecting drama The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019), and the Christmas caper The Naughty Nine (2023), playing Santa Claus in the latter. Diedre Johnson, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Dec. 2025 Meanwhile, Earth's doing… fine? Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 10 Dec. 2025 What on earth is a dating app doing, creating a literary magazine, even more so such a gorgeous one? Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025 When the human actually goes in to look at it, what is the human doing? Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 14 Nov. 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 21 Dec. 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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