timing

noun

tim·ing | \ˈtī-miŋ

Definition of timing

1a : 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

Regardless of the timing, Arlissa wants to hit the ground running. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Arlissa’s Breakthrough Was 10 Years in the Making," 15 Oct. 2018 Some Democrats were critical of the timing of Warren’s announcement. — Bob Salsberg, The Seattle Times, "Sen. Warren: DNA test shows I have Native American heritage," 15 Oct. 2018 In a piece of fortuitous timing, Mr. Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive, had released a plan hours before Mr. Kaloyeros was convicted on Thursday, outlining some of his proposals for increasing transparency in state contracting. — New York Times, "Cuomo’s Rivals Look to Tie Him to Corruption Convictions of Top Aides," 13 July 2018 There was also a streak in 1988 that is comparable with this one in terms of timing. — Angela Fritz, Washington Post, "Washington is in a ‘flash drought,’ with only fleeting chances of rain in the forecast," 12 July 2018 About the owners: Chuck Pine had a fortuitous sense of timing. — Patrick Z. Mcgavin, Daily Southtown, "Guide to outdoor dining in Chicago suburbs: Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe in Burbank," 9 July 2018 Feste has a great sense of timing, and with the actors, the comic beats never stop. — Katie Walsh, Detroit Free Press, "Review: Road movie ‘Boundaries’ travels well-worn path," 6 July 2018 One of his greatest intrinsic strengths lay in realizing that opportunity so often arises out of good timing. — Johnforristerross, Longreads, "Taming the Great American Desert," 2 July 2018 In one of those quirky fates of timing, Yosh Kawano died the day before the U.S. Supreme Court approved President Trump’s travel ban on people from several Muslim countries. — Ben Joravsky, Chicago Reader, "Locking up Cubs legend Yosh Kawano also got Supreme Court OK," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'timing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.