timingtim‧ing /ˈtaɪmɪŋ/ ●●○ noun 
He was just walking into the restaurant when we got there. Perfect timing. He told jokes with an exquisite sense of timing.2[countable, uncountable] the time when someone does something or when something happens, especially when you are considering how suitable this istiming of The president and I did not discuss the timing of my departure. Ferry schedules and precise timings are subject to weather conditions on the day of departure.3[uncountable] the way in which electricity is sent to the spark plugs in a car engine
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Well, life's just full of surprises," she retorted, with a comic's perfect timing.
- Even at the end, George Burns never lost his impeccable sense of timing.
- He eventually played in another 28 games, but his timing and rhythm never returned.
- The voter survey is crucial to the timing of the election.
- When you're a comedian, timing is very important.
- You guys have good timing, we just started to eat.
- A form is a predetermined pattern of techniques that ties together proper posture, balance, coordination and timing.
- If guides are to be distributed to students, the timing of this should be planned.
- It was not the medium itself, but the poor timing and targeting, that rendered mail junk.
- Only recently has the importance of the timing of insulin injections in relation to meals become fully realised.
- The first consideration is the timing of the campaign during the year.
- This is a major undertaking and constitutes a special project in terms of budgeting, staffing and timing.
Longman Language Activatorwhat hour, day etc something happens
the particular minute or hour of the day when something is planned to happen, or the particular minute or hour that it happened in the past: the time of something: · Could I have the times of the trains to Birmingham please?· This leaflet lists the dates and times of all the concerts.· The police are still trying to establish the exact time of her death.what time?: · What time did you see the man leave the bus station?· What time do you usually start in the mornings?· What time is the news on?departure/arrival time (=the time when a train, plane, etc leaves or arrives): · The departure times are posted on our website.· The plane's estimated arrival time is 19:45.opening/closing time (=the time when a shop, office etc opens or closes): · We went into a cafe and sat there until closing time.· I've got to get this to the video store by closing time.opening times (=the normal times when a shop is open): · Check with the museum for opening times at www.musart.co.lunchtime/dinnertime etc (=the time when you have a meal): · Robbie! It's suppertime!time of year/day etc: · The winds are pretty strong at this time of year.· There won't be much traffic on the roads at this time of night.by that time (=after a particular hour of the day or night has passed): · Well, most people had gone to bed by that time of night.· She apologized for being late, but by that time I was really annoyed with her.
the day, month, or year when something is planned to happen, or happened: · Do you know the date when the house was built?· We still haven't received notification of the exam date.the date(s) of something: · Give me the dates of the American War of Independence.· June 9th is the date of the European elections.date for: · We need to arrange a date for the next meeting.· A date for his release has not yet been agreed.set a date (for something) (=choose a particular date): · Have they set a date for the wedding yet?birth date/date of birth (=the date on which someone was born): · It helps if you provide your birth date and Social Security number.· Could I have your name and your date of birth please?start date (=the date when something begins, especially a job): · I later received confirmation of my new job in a letter indicating the start date.closing date (=the date when a competition, offer etc ends): · The closing date for entries is 3 March 2001.expiry dateBritish /expiration date American (=the date on which something can no longer be used): · Key in your credit card details, including the expiration date of the card.· Are you sure these yoghurts are ok? Have you checked the expiry date?launch/release date (=the date when a new product, film, etc is shown to people): · "Snow White" had a December release date to capture the Christmas market.
a fixed period of time in the day when a particular activity, business etc happens: · I'd like to return something to your store - what are your hours?office/opening/business hours (=when an office, shop etc is open): · Our telephone hotline is open during regular business hours.visiting hours (=when you can visit someone in the hospital): · Visiting hours are from 2 to 5 every day.after hours (=after an office, shop etc is closed): · After hours callers can leave a voicemail message.out of hours British (=before or after the usual business hours): · What was Tom doing in the office out of hours?
a particular period or point of time during the day or night: at this hour (=very late at night or early in the morning): · Sir, I'm sorry to bother you at this hour.at some ungodly hour informal (=very late or very early): · We had to get up at some ungodly hour to catch our train.at all hours: · There's something happening on our street at all hours of the day and night.lunch/dinner hour: · I hate telemarketers who call during the dinner hour.
a word meaning the time, day, or date that something is planned to happen, used especially when you are considering how suitable this is: timing of: · The voter survey is crucial to the timing of the election.
use this with hours and minutes of the day, special holidays, or the beginning or end of a period of time: at six o'clock/half-past four/midnight/lunchtime etc: · He starts work at 10, and finishes at 6:30.· Would you like to go to the sandwich bar at lunchtime?· I have a hospital appointment at 9.00 am.at Christmas/Easter/New Year: · We get a week's holiday at Easter.· What are you doing at Christmas?at the end/beginning/start (of something): · Frank joined the navy at the beginning of the war.· We get paid at the end of the week.· The students all do a short test at the start of term.
use this with particular days: · The team holds a meeting on the first Monday of every month.· I tried to catch him on the last day of term, but he'd already left.on Monday/Tuesday night/Friday evening etc: · We're going out for dinner on Friday.· Are you doing anything special on Saturday night?on August 12th/March 2nd etc: · She was born on May 12, 1913.· The course starts on 14 October.on my birthday/their wedding day/Valentine's day etc: · Did you call dad on Father's Day?· Aren't you coming here on Christmas Day?on Thursdays/Fridays etcalso on a Thursday/Friday etc British (=every Thursday, Friday etc): · Her husband takes her shopping on a Saturday to Asda.· We always go to the pub on Fridays.
use this with parts of the day, particular years, or particular months, and seasons of the year: in the morning/afternoon/evening: · I'm usually too tired to cook a meal in the evening.· We didn't get to bed until 3 o'clock in the morning.first thing in the morning (=very early in the morning): · I want to be ready to leave first thing in the morning.in 1892/2001 etc: · In 2004, the Olympic Games will be held in Athens.in the fifties/sixties/1990s etc (=from 1950 to 1959, 1960 to 1969 etc): · He did a lot of abstract art in the sixties, but he's moved on since then.in January/February/the autumn etc: · I came to England in the summer of 1995.· The series returns in the autumn.· "How old is Philip now?" "He's four in December".
use this to say how far back in the past something happened: 5 minutes/an hour/100 years etc ago: · Michael left the office 20 minutes ago.· "When did you hurt your back?" "About a fortnight ago."· My daughter was married just over a year ago.a long time ago: · I met your father once, a long time ago.a short time ago/a little while ago: · Did you see that program about genetics that was on a little while ago?a minute/moment ago: · I had my keys a minute ago, and now I can't find them.not so long ago (=used to say that something was quite a short time ago): · We went down to see a show in London not so long ago.how long ago? (=used to ask how far back in the past something happened): · How long ago was that, Dad?· How long ago did you buy the computer?
at exactly a particular time and not any earlier or later: · On the stroke of midnight, the British flag was lowered for the last time over Delhi.· The judge entered the courtroom at the stroke of nine.
the right time or a good time to do something the best time to do something, when you are most likely to get the result that you want: · Yes, I'm going to ask him - I'm just waiting for the right time.the right time to do something: · It seemed like the right time to start planning something new.· I don't think it's the right time to tell Jeff.the right time of day/year: · If you get here at the right time of day, you might get to see the birds feeding.· This really isn't the right time of the year to start working on the house.
a suitable or convenient time: · I'd like to come on Saturday - would that be a good time?a good time for: · 11 o'clock would be quite a good time for me, if you can make it.a good time to do something: · Now is a good time to start applying for jobs.· Right after the Easter break is a good time to visit Florida.· I'll be here all day Friday, so when would be a good time to meet?
if something comes at the right time or comes at a good time , it happens when you need or want it to happen: · I lost my job last month, so this offer has come at just the right time.· Well, you're news comes at a good time, Helen.
an expression meaning to be the right time to do something important, use this especially when you are advising someone what they should do: be the time to do something: · If you're going to buy a house, now's the time to do it.be the time for: · The reason I'm saying "no" is because right now is not the time for making a mess in here.
the ability to choose the right time to do something, especially when this is a skill you have learned or practised: · When you're a comedian, timing is very important.· He eventually played in another 28 games, but his timing and rhythm never returned.good/perfect etc timing: · "Well, life's just full of surprises," she retorted, with a comic's perfect timing.· You guys have good timing, we just started to eat.sense of timing (=the ability to choose the right time to do something, especially when this is a natural ability that you have): · Even at the end, George Burns never lost his impeccable sense of timing.
actions, decisions etc that are timely happen at the right time, especially with the result that they prevent something bad from happening: · The Government's intervention was timely and may have prevented economic disaster.· The database will provide timely and accurate information on the current status of the business.· The fighting in the Ardennes came as a timely reminder that the West still needed the Russian army.
done at the right time so that it is likely to have a successful result: · She took a sip of water during a well-timed pause, and waited for my reply.· Wallace made a well-timed run through the midfield, collected the pass and scored with a low shot.· The conference is well timed since most companies will have their third-quarter profits in by now.
formal a time when you are most likely to be successful, or a time which is convenient: · For those who are waiting for the most opportune time to invest in a home, this is an excellent time to do that.· This seemed like an opportune moment to ask the government to mount a tree-planting program.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY He was just walking into the restaurant when we got there. Perfect timing. He told jokes with an exquisite sense of timing.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
He was just walking into the restaurant when we got there. Perfect timing. He told jokes with an exquisite sense of timing. (=the ability to choose the right moment to do or say something)· He told the story with an exquisite sense of timing.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· I think the main ingredient for success is that you have to have a good sense of timing.· Timing Everything happens so much quicker in stronger winds, so a good sense of timing is needed.· It can be a matter of good timing - and timing as well as luck plays a part in working with nationals.· The second requirement is that of good timing.· That is good timing, n'est-ce pas?
· Chapman, with perfect timing, anticipated events by arranging to meet Stephenson at Leeds, on his way home from Birmingham.· Though not the most powerful punch ever thrown, Stretch's right hook was delivered with perfect timing.· The ability of a salesperson to turn the objection into a trial close is dependent upon perfect timing and considerable judgment.· The club was set up late last year, with perfect timing.· Then, with perfect timing, another element entered my life that was soon to prove so important.· For Franco, this was perfect timing for his end-of-year speech.· The Beckwith brothers and Tony Clegg exited from property shares with perfect timing just before the current disastrous recession.
· But that does not explain the precise timing.· The problem of historians is to analyse the reasons and the precise timing of the changes.· This kind of action needs precise timing and director Mike Alfreds and his 14 strong cast provide the elegantly energetic execution required.· The precise timing will depend on the convenience of one's clients and the need to obtain a mortgage advance cheque.· If they are rational, firms will realize that such disturbances can occur, even though they can not forecast their precise timing.· The precise timing of this process is largely irrelevant.· The precise timing of this decision remains a mystery.
WORD FAMILYnountimeovertimetimertimingtimelessnessadjectivetimelesstimely ≠ untimelyverbtimeadverbtimelessly
1[uncountable] the skill of doing something at exactly the right timeperfect/good/bad etc timing He was just walking into the restaurant when we got there. Perfect timing. He told jokes with an exquisite sense of timing.2[countable, uncountable] the time when someone does something or when something happens, especially when you are considering how suitable this istiming of The president and I did not discuss the timing of my departure. Ferry schedules and precise timings are subject to weather conditions on the day of departure.3[uncountable] the way in which electricity is sent to the spark plugs in a car engine