timing

noun

tim·​ing ˈtī-miŋ 

1

a

: placement or occurrence in time

the timing of the sale couldn't have been better

b

: the ability to select the precise moment for doing something for optimum effect

a boxer with impeccable timing

2

: observation and recording (as by a stopwatch) of the elapsed time of an act, action, or process

Examples of timing in a Sentence

The timing of the sale could not have been better.

Her timing was a little off and she missed the shot.

an athlete with impeccable timing

Recent Examples on the Web

The timing of the war is particularly worrying, coming just as farmers prepare for the spring planting season. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026

Your 6th House of Health tightens under pressure as the unconscious Moon squares aggressive Mars, presently in your 3rd House of Dialogue, so timing and tone carry extra weight. —Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026

Sacramento Regional Transit weekday bus schedules will shift next month as part of an effort to improve timing and arrival accuracy for travelers going to Elk Grove, UC Davis, Roseville and other destinations. —Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026

In the wake of the January firestorm, the idea of prefire alerts during dangerous conditions is getting more attention as officials grapple with how to better prepare communities, especially when fire weather conditions are being forecast with increasingly precise timing and location. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing timing

• timing belt
• timing chain

Rhymes for timing

• chiming
• climbing
• liming
• priming
• rhyming

Kids Definition

timing

noun

tim·​ing

ˈtī-miŋ

1

: selection for best effect of the exact moment for beginning or doing something

2

: observation and recording (as by a stopwatch) of the time taken by something