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 offense was built on timing and precision but needed another explosive option. —Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 17 June 2025

If the timing and surrounding environment are just right, those planets don’t get ejected but are trapped in extremely wide orbits — which could have happened in the solar system as Uranus and Neptune grew or the later scattering among gas giants. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

The timing of all this is interesting, as R. Kelly’s legal team had been trying to get in contact with President Donald Trump to obtain a pardon for him. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 17 June 2025

The timing aligns with National Pink Day on Monday and the summer wedding season, targeting consumers interested in pop culture and event dressing. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 17 June 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