pitting

noun

pit·​ting ˈpi-tiŋ 

1

: an arrangement of pits

2

: the action or process of forming pits

3

: the bringing of gamecocks together to fight

Examples of pitting in a Sentence

The car's paint showed some pitting from flying gravel.

Her face had some minor pitting from the chicken pox.

Recent Examples on the Web

But the acid that helps oranges and other citrus cut through mineral deposits in showers and break down grease on baking pans can also be harmful to some household surfaces, causing etching, stripping, pitting, or staining. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025

Look for laptop stands made of alloys that are easy to clean and resist corrosion and pitting. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025

Emmott added that every species of stick insect has its own distinct egg style, including different textures, pittings, surfaces and even shapes. —Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025

The condition affects about 7 million people in the U.S. Symptoms include hair loss, nail pitting, itching and change in hair color. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 7 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for pitting

• fitting
• flitting
• gritting
• hitting
• knitting
• quitting
• sitting
• slitting
• spitting
• splitting
• acquitting
• admitting

Kids Definition

pitting

present participle of pit

Medical Definition

pitting

noun

1

: the action or process of forming pits (as in acned skin, a tooth, or a dental restoration)

2

: the formation of a depression or indentation in living tissue that is produced by pressure with a finger or blunt instrument and disappears only slowly following release of the pressure in some forms of edema