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

Coordinating the timing of the project with the retirement of debt would maintain the tax levy and create no additional bump in taxes, according to the district. —Alec Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024

This includes which targets to strike, which delivery systems to use, and the timing of action. —Annie Jacobsen, TIME, 11 Apr. 2024

More:Hastily called school board meeting on JCPS magnet busing outrages community The timing, along with the lack of community input, raises a question, Burse said. —Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024

Muslim leaders, however, said the eclipse and its timing were irrelevant. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024

But the timing, as is typically the case, is slightly off, as the influx of new shows arrives just after spring break crowds die down and before the summer tourists arrive in June. —Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024

No, what was off was the timing, the misery of the moment. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

The timing of birth is primarily influenced by biological factors and the natural progression of labor. —The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024

Stock market timing is a fool’s errand, but ensuring your portfolio matches your risk tolerance, and some caution on the margins makes sense here. —Bill Stone, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing timing

• timing chain
• timing belt

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