timing

noun tim·ing \ ˈtī-miŋ \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Examples: timing in a Sentence

Definition of timing

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

See timing defined for English-language learners

See timing defined for kids

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 of timing from the Web

Well, his aunt said, Cindy had gone to Hawaii for two weeks the year her son was conceived, although the timing wasn’t right given his birth date.

— jill tucker, SFChronicle.com, "A cabinetmaker, a dead bar owner, a lounge singer, an uncle and, finally, a dad," 15 June 2018
But with the Whitney and Travers being just three weeks apart, the timing might not be right.

— jason frakes, The Courier-Journal, "So, what's next for Justify? Here are some of the possibilities," 15 June 2018
Sure, this could be about anything—but the timing is suspicious.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "Pete Davidson's Exes Are Having Very Relatable Reactions to His Engagement to Ariana Grande," 13 June 2018
The timing is good with all the other development going on in the area from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the development company War Horse Cities, which has begun a mixed-use redevelopment of Hollins Market, Clarke said.

— meredith cohn, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore's program to improve facades mostly helps established areas, so city tries new tack," 9 June 2018
The timing of the Shulaya enterprise arrests came as a particular affront to Khurtsidze, the boxing enforcer.

— garrett graff, Longreads, "A Vor Never Sleeps," 5 June 2018
The precise purpose of his trip is unclear, as is the timing.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Report: Assad to Meet With Kim Jong-un in North Korea," 3 June 2018
Although the ruling’s timing came as a surprise, the outcome was foreshadowed within minutes.

— jeremy roebuck, Philly.com, "Appeals court OKs Boyertown schools' policy letting transgender students use bathrooms of their choice," 24 May 2018
The timing of Brandon's exit comes at a time he was supposed to oversee the Bills' next big venture in determining their future home.

— john wawrow, chicagotribune.com, "Russ Brandon, president of Bills and Sabres, resigns after alleged inappropriate relationship with female employee," 2 May 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.

First Known Use of timing

circa 1659

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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TIMING Defined for English Language Learners

timing

noun

Definition of timing for English Language Learners

: the time when something happens or is done especially when it is thought of as having a good or bad effect on the result
: the ability to choose the best moment for some action, movement, etc.