making

noun

mak·​ing ˈmā-kiŋ 

1

: the act or process of forming, causing, doing, or coming into being

spots problems in the making

2

: a process or means of advancement or success

3

: something made

especially : a quantity produced at one time : batch

4

a

: potentiality

—often used in plural

had the makings of a great artist

b

makings ˈmā-kənz 

ˈmā-kiŋz

plural : the material from which something is to be made

especially \ usually  ˈmā-​kənz \ : paper and tobacco for rolling cigarettes by hand

Synonyms of making

• potential
• material
• potentiality

Examples of making in a Sentence

methods used in the making of wine

she has all the makings of an excellent leader, but she needs some experience first

Recent Examples on the Web

The legislation included a detailed governance structure that satisfied lenders’ by giving the borrower, the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority, control over decision making for three years after the deal closed. —Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026

In the sitting category, athletes use a specialized monoski, a seat mounted on a single ski with a shock absorber that helps with riding on uneven terrain and making turns. —ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026

The immersive slime experience is slated to open this summer at Metropolitan in Midtown, offering hands-on slime making, ASMR soundscapes and other sensory activities. —Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026

Obama’s adoption of this legal theory opened the door for any president to engage in acts of war conducted from the air and claim that the War Powers Resolution does not apply — in other words, unilateral presidential war-making became de facto legal under the Obama position. —Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English macung, from macian to make

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing making

• decision-making
• epoch-making
• history in the making
• hit-making
• in the making
• making a comeback
• making all the right noises
• making (a lot of) noise
• making noise
• making noises
• making soothing/reassuring noises
• non-profit-making
• not making much sense
• of one's own making
• policy-making
• slave-making ant
• the making of

Rhymes for making

• aching
• baking
• braking
• breaking
• caking
• faking
• flaking
• quaking
• raking
• shaking
• slaking
• snaking

Kids Definition

making

noun

mak·​ing

ˈmā-kiŋ

1

: the act of forming, causing, doing, or coming into being

spots problems in the making

2

: a process or means of advancement or success

3

: material from which something can be developed : potentiality

there is the making of a racehorse in this colt

—often used in plural

has the makings of a great quarterback

4

plural : the materials from which something can be made