trimming

noun trim·ming \ ˈtri-miŋ \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of trimming

1 a : an additional garnishing

turkey and all the trimmings

b : a decorative accessory or additional item

trimmings for a hat

2 : defeat, beating

3 : the act of one who trims

See trimming defined for kids

Examples of trimming in a Sentence

our football team suffered a pretty severe trimming

Recent Examples of trimming from the Web

This usually comes in the form of shaving or trimming, which leads to tiny hairs clogging the sink, sticking to the countertop, and getting dangerously close to your toothbrushes.

— kelly o'sullivan, Country Living, "Every Man With Facial Hair Needs a 'Beard Bib'," 7 Apr. 2018
Growers pay a tax of $50 per ounce of cannabis bud and $15 an ounce for other parts of the plant, like the trimmings of leaves and stems.

— laurel andrews, Anchorage Daily News, "Number of marijuana growers paying Alaska taxes tripled in the past year," 6 Apr. 2018
No trimming, no tucking, no crimping, no venting, and no soggy bottom.

— chris morocco, Bon Appetit, "Fruit Galette with Buckwheat Crust," 26 Mar. 2018
Maintaining the trimmings of simplicity is important for the 100 or so homeowner-shareholders, each of whom also have stake in the Mustique Company, the de facto governing body on the island.

— dan q. dao, GQ, "Your Guide to Mustique, the Private Caribbean Island Where You Can Stay in David Bowie's Former Villa," 25 Mar. 2018
To do this genetic trimming, the chromosomes in cells line up in pairs and exchange bits of genetic material before forming an egg or sperm cell.

— National Geographic, "Siblings Can Have Surprisingly Different DNA Ancestry. Here's Why.," 23 Mar. 2018
There is a melange of skills needed to run this operation — financial literacy, tree trimming, mill work, snow plowing, repair work, customer acquisition, inventory management.

— cindy atoji keene, BostonGlobe.com, "Former financial adviser going with the grain," 10 Mar. 2018
Many people purchase the least expensive (and often poorly made) pruners, but if their gardens need frequent trimming and deadheading, paying for quality pruners really helps to ease the load and speed the work.

— catherine romano, WSJ, "Design-Pro Tricks to Beautify Your Home for $100 or Less," 30 Mar. 2018
The remaining items to be completed are brush removal, tree trimming and the installation of a temporary fence, Mau said.

— daniel i. dorfman, chicagotribune.com, "Invasive species removal to go forward in Glencoe despite neighbors' objections over property values," 27 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of trimming

circa 1518

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

trimming Synonyms

TRIMMING Defined for Kids

trimming

noun trim·ming \ ˈtri-miŋ \

Definition of trimming for Students

: something that ornaments, seasons, or completes

roast turkey with all the trimmings

Learn More about trimming

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for trimming Spanish Central: Translation of trimming Nglish: Translation of trimming for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of trimming for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up trimming? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

trimming

Definition of trimming

Examples of trimming in a Sentence

Recent Examples of trimming from the Web

First Known Use of trimming

trimming Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

TRIMMING Defined for Kids

trimming

Definition of trimming for Students

Learn More about trimming

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

slew

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Name That Thing

SCRABBLE® Sprint

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

trimming

Definition of trimming

Examples of trimming in a Sentence

Recent Examples of trimming from the Web

First Known Use of trimming

trimming Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to TRIMMING

Related Phrases

TRIMMING Defined for Kids

trimming

Definition of trimming for Students

Learn More about trimming

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes