Word
emptying
Phoneticsemp·ty·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɛmptiɪŋ/
UK/ˈɛmptɪɪŋ/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the act of removing everything from inside a container or space. You use this when you clear out a room, a bag, or a bin.
n. the process or act of removing the contents of a container or space. Often used in gerundial form to describe domestic or industrial maintenance tasks.
Examples
“The daily emptying of the trash is your job.”
“The complete emptying of the warehouse took three days and required a team of ten movers.”
“The sudden emptying of the stadium after the final whistle created a massive bottleneck at the main gates, requiring police intervention to manage the crowd flow.”
Examples
simple
“The daily emptying of the trash is your job.”
contextual
“The complete emptying of the warehouse took three days and required a team of ten movers.”
complex
“The sudden emptying of the stadium after the final whistle created a massive bottleneck at the main gates, requiring police intervention to manage the crowd flow.”
Usage
Functions as a verbal noun; can be modified by adjectives or followed by 'of' phrases.
Real-World Examples
“A resident of Adigrat, a city close to the Eritrean border, described panic-buying and shops emptying.” “I know the emotion and loneliness of emptying a family home.” Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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