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

Researchers estimated that about 75% of this higher risk was explained by other LE8 factors, rather than sleep timing alone. —Dr. Joseph Wendt, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026

The statement didn’t mention specific securities, but the timing suggests most of the funding for the partial payments this week could be coming from the state firm. —Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026

What looks like disengagement is often a timing issue, not a motivation problem. —Dr. Liz Doe Stone, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

The company didn’t provide any other details including the timing of the opening. —Anne D'innocenzio, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 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