taking

American  

[tey-king] / ˈteɪ kɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that takes.

2. the state of being taken.

3. something that is taken.

4. an action by the federal government, as a regulatory ruling, that imposes a restriction on the use of private property for which the owner must be compensated.

5. takings, receipts, especially of money earned or gained.

6. Archaic. a state of agitation or distress.

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adjective

1. captivating, winning, or pleasing.

2. Archaic. infectious or contagious.

taking British  

/ ˈteɪkɪŋ /

adjective

1. charming, fascinating, or intriguing

2. informal infectious; catching

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noun

1. something taken

2. (plural) receipts; earnings

Other Word Forms

• takingly adverb
• takingness noun
• untaking adjective

Etymology

Origin of taking

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English takyng (gerund); take, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

UBS said it used about two months’ worth of booking data to calculate average prices, taking into consideration route coverage.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

“My delay in taking action against Eric was driven by fear, not doubt,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

New CEO Keith Barr is leading a turnaround after four years of declining sales, with activist Starboard Value taking a $350 million stake.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

“I’m shaking the dust off my old guitar and taking lessons again,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

She lunged forward, taking the branch in her teeth, then wrestled it from the boy and flung it away.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman