noun
Very common
making
MAY-kihng
Making (noun) means the act or process of creating, building, or producing something. Example: “The making of the bridge took nearly five years.”
noun
1
The act or process of creating, building, or producing something.
"The making of the bridge took nearly five years."
"There is real skill in the making of a good loaf of bread."
"The making of the film involved hundreds of people working behind the scenes."
2
A stage of development or growth, especially in the phrase "in the making."
"This scandal has been years in the making."
"Their friendship was a long time in the making, but it became very strong."
"Watch this young player closely, because she is a champion in the making."
How to use making
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe process of building or producing something, or how something came to be.
Common pairings
in the making
the making of
a disaster in the making
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Word forms
- Plural
- makings
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The _____ of the bridge took nearly five years.
Etymology
From Old English macung, the noun form of "make" plus the ending "-ing."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for making
See all rhymes for making →Frequently asked questions
What does “making” mean?
The word “making” means the act or process of creating, building, or producing something. In plain terms, the process of building or producing something, or how something came to be.
How do you pronounce “making”?
“Making” is pronounced MAY-kihng (/ˈmeɪkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “making” in a sentence?
Here is “making” used in a sentence: “The making of the bridge took nearly five years.”
What part of speech is “making”?
“Making” is a noun.
Where does the word “making” come from?
The word “making” comes from Old English. From Old English macung, the noun form of "make" plus the ending "-ing.".
Is “making” a common word?
“Making” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “making” have?
“Making” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act or process of creating, building, or producing something.
What does 'in the making' mean?
'In the making' describes something in the process of being created or developing but not yet finished. 'A star in the making' is someone on the way to becoming a star; 'history in the making' is a major moment as it unfolds. The phrase highlights that the thing is still taking shape.
What does 'of your own making' mean?
This phrase means something you brought about yourself, usually a problem or difficulty. 'A mess of your own making' is trouble you caused through your own actions. It places responsibility on the person rather than on bad luck or outside circumstances, often with a note of gentle blame.
What is the difference between 'making' and 'creation'?
Both refer to bringing something into being. 'Making' stresses the hands-on act or process — the doing, building, and producing. 'Creation' often emphasizes the result, or the bringing of something entirely new into existence, sometimes with a grander or more artistic ring. Making is the work; creation can be the outcome.
What are 'the makings of' something?
'The makings of' means the qualities or elements needed to become something. 'She has the makings of a leader' means she has the raw ingredients for it. The phrase can also mean the materials for making a thing. Either way, it points to potential and the parts required to get there.
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