trimming

[ trim-ing ]

noun

1. anything used or serving to decorate or complete:

   the trimmings of a Christmas tree.

2. Usually trimmings. an accompaniment or garnish to a main dish:

   roast turkey with all the trimmings.

3. trimmings, pieces cut off in trimming, clipping, paring, or pruning.
4. the act of a person or thing that trims.
5. Informal. a beating or thrashing.
6. Informal. a defeat:

   Our team took quite a trimming.

trimming

/ ˈtrɪmɪŋ /

noun

1. an extra piece used to decorate or complete
2. plural usual or traditional accompaniments

   roast turkey with all the trimmings

3. plural parts that are cut off
4. dialect.
   plural ornaments; decorations

   Christmas trimmings

5. informal.
   a reproof, beating, or defeat

Word History and Origins

Origin of trimming¹

First recorded in 1510–20; trim + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Minutes after the polls closed, Hutt said her campaign was about “bringing commonsense resources to the community,” such as trimming trees and picking up “bulky items” from the curb and sidewalk.

From Los Angeles Times

Typically Recreation and Parks officials consult with fire inspectors about how the trimming should be conducted, Tovar said, but that didn’t happen this time.

From Los Angeles Times

Note, too, that while Los Angeles County and several municipalities may not provide free yard trees — the county spends almost all of its $20 million budget for trees on trimming or otherwise maintaining its 170,000 street trees, said Deputy Director of Transportation Steve Burger — they will take requests to add trees to parkways in front of homes.

From Los Angeles Times

Sierra Madre will bill the homeowner for the work done on the property including tree trimming and cleanup.

From Los Angeles Times

And he’s interested in going even further than a 19% trimming.

From BBC

Related Words

• decoration
• frill
• ornamentation