noun
Uncommon
ticking
TIH-kihng
Ticking (noun) means a tightly woven, durable fabric used to cover mattresses and pillows. Example: “The mattress ticking had a classic blue-and-white stripe.”
noun
1
A tightly woven, durable fabric used to cover mattresses and pillows.
"The mattress ticking had a classic blue-and-white stripe."
2
A repeated clicking sound, like that of a clock.
"The ticking of the clock kept her awake."
How to use ticking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the sturdy fabric covering a mattress, or the repeated clicking sound of a clock or timer.
Common pairings
mattress ticking
the ticking of a clock
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Word forms
- Plural
- tickings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The mattress _____ had a classic blue-and-white stripe.
Etymology
From tick ("mattress cover") + -ing, or from the verb tick ("to make a clicking sound") + -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for ticking
licking
picking
kicking
dicking
nicking
fricking
sticking
pricking
clicking
tricking
flicking
panicking
See all rhymes for ticking →
Frequently asked questions
What does “ticking” mean?
The word “ticking” means a tightly woven, durable fabric used to cover mattresses and pillows. In plain terms, either the sturdy fabric covering a mattress, or the repeated clicking sound of a clock or timer.
How do you pronounce “ticking”?
“Ticking” is pronounced TIH-kihng (/ˈtɪkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ticking” in a sentence?
Here is “ticking” used in a sentence: “The mattress ticking had a classic blue-and-white stripe.”
What part of speech is “ticking”?
“Ticking” is a noun.
Is “ticking” a common word?
“Ticking” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ticking” have?
“Ticking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tightly woven, durable fabric used to cover mattresses and pillows.
