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noun Common

counting

KOWN-tihng

Counting (noun) means the act of determining the number of something by counting. Example: “The counting of ballots took most of the night.”

noun
1
The act of determining the number of something by counting.
"The counting of ballots took most of the night."

How to use counting

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe process of adding up or tallying items one by one.

Common pairings
vote counting counting sheep

Word forms

countings plural

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Test yourself on “counting” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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Can you complete this real example?

The _____ of ballots took most of the night.

Related words

Rhymes for counting

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Frequently asked questions

What does “counting” mean?

The word “counting” means the act of determining the number of something by counting. In plain terms, the process of adding up or tallying items one by one.

How do you pronounce “counting”?

“Counting” is pronounced KOWN-tihng (/ˈkaʊ.nɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “counting” in a sentence?

Here is “counting” used in a sentence: “The counting of ballots took most of the night.”

What is another word for “counting”?

Words with a similar meaning to “counting” include numbering, citation, numeration and telling.

What is the opposite of “counting”?

The opposite of “counting” — its antonyms — is miscounting.

What part of speech is “counting”?

“Counting” is a noun.

Is “counting” a common word?

“Counting” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What is the difference between "counting" and "calculating"?

Counting is simply determining how many items there are by tallying them one by one, while calculating involves working out a result through arithmetic such as addition or multiplication. You count objects; you calculate totals, costs, or answers.

When should you use "counting" instead of "measuring"?

Use "counting" for separate, whole items you can tally as numbers, such as people or coins, and "measuring" for continuous quantities like length, weight, or volume. Counting answers "how many," while measuring answers "how much."

What are common collocations with "counting"?

Common phrases include "counting sheep," "counting calories," "counting down," "head count," and "and counting." Most refer to determining or keeping track of a number.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial