waiting

The word “waiting” means the act of remaining somewhere until something happens. In plain terms, the state or action of staying somewhere until an expected event occurs.

“Waiting” is pronounced WAY-tihng ([ˈweɪ̯ɾɪŋ] in IPA).

Here is “waiting” used in a sentence: “The waiting was the hardest part of the whole process.”

“Waiting” is a noun.

The word “waiting” comes from Middle English. From Middle English "waitynge", formed from "wait" plus the "-ing" ending.

“Waiting” is a very common word in modern English.

Everyday examples include sitting in a doctor's waiting room until your name is called, standing in a queue at a shop, or staying by the phone until a call comes. In each case, waiting is the act of remaining in place, usually pausing your activity, until an expected event finally happens.

Waiting is what a person does — remaining somewhere until something happens. A delay is the cause: an event occurring later than planned. You wait because of a delay. For example, a delayed train leaves passengers waiting on the platform. One is the action; the other is the hold-up behind it.

It can be both. As a verb it is the "-ing" form of "wait" ("she is waiting outside"). As a noun, "waiting" names the act itself ("the waiting was unbearable") and appears in set phrases like "waiting room," "waiting list," and "lady-in-waiting." The core meaning stays close in either use.