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 timing, although likely coincidental, illustrated the dilemma Democrats currently face. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025

The timing and bluntness of Musk’s statement ignited social platforms, as supporters and skeptics alike debated the possibility of corporate malfeasance or cover-up. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025

Mechanical difficulty Does the game require players to hit a specific sequence of buttons in a certain tight timing window to succeed? —ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025

The mystery now is timing and mechanism. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 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