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 judge in that case granted the lawyers' emergency request due to the timing of the matter. —Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025

Senate Bill 1415 addresses the timing of the tax exemption. —Eleanor Dearman updated August 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2025

Because of the timing of the Jackson Hole conference, the Federal Reserve won’t meet until mid September, which means that although current expectations are very high for a rate cut, the Fed will have a lot more data to work with prior to making any decisions. —Jj Kinahan, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

The competitors estimated that the timing of this year’s contest, which ran July 11 to 20, and the discovery of the nests helped bolster the removal numbers. —Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025

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