trimming

noun

trim·​ming ˈtri-miŋ 

1

a

: an additional garnishing

turkey and all the trimmings

b

: a decorative accessory or additional item

trimmings for a hat

c

: the remnants of something that has been trimmed : clipping

tree/grass/hedge trimmings

2

: defeat, beating

3

: the act of one who trims

Synonyms

• beating
• defeat
• drubbing
• licking
• loss
• lump
• overthrow
• plastering
• rout
• shellacking
• trouncing
• whipping

Examples of trimming in a Sentence

our football team suffered a pretty severe trimming

Recent Examples on the Web

Then there’s the precision trimming blade on the backside of the cartridge head, allowing for easy line-ups or fine tunings (like any stubble right under the nose that might be hard to reach with a standard cartridge). —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 13 May 2025

Utility data revealing off-hour energy spikes might spur investments in smart lighting or HVAC automation, trimming expenses. —Johan Hajji, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

Raising prices is one way to offset rising costs, while trimming expenses — including by reducing labor costs — is the other alternative. —Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 5 May 2025

There are various options for Elliott to pursue such as a five percent trimming of the work force, a further reduction in investments in renewable energy, sales of assets like its Castro lubricants business worth potentially $10 billion, and even being sold to a rival, such as Shell. —Robert G. Eccles, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for trimming

• brimming
• dimming
• miming
• rimming
• skimming
• slimming
• swimming

Kids Definition

trimming

noun

trim·​ming

ˈtrim-iŋ

1

: the action of one that trims

2

: a severe defeat or beating

3

: something that trims, ornaments, or completes

trimmings for a hat

turkey with all the trimmings