# filing

/ˈfaɪɫɪŋ/ (US) · /fˈaɪlɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/filing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. organizing documents

noun · CEFR B2

the act of putting papers or digital files into a specific order so you can find them later.

For teachers: the systematic process of arranging and storing documents or records in a specific order for future retrieval.

- I spent the whole afternoon doing the filing because my desk was a mess.
- The administrative assistant overhauled the entire filing system, transitioning from a chronological to an alphabetical arrangement to improve efficiency.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun for the general activity.

### 2. official document

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

a formal document that has been sent to a court, government, or official office.

For teachers: a formal document or record submitted to a legal or regulatory authority.

- The company made a new filing with the tax office yesterday.
- The court rejected the latest filing on the grounds that the evidence provided was insufficient to warrant a new hearing.

Usage: In this sense, the noun is countable.

### 3. tiny metal pieces

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

very small pieces of metal or wood that are rubbed off when using a tool called a file.

For teachers: small particles or shavings of material, typically metal, removed by the abrasive action of a file.

- The magnet pulled the iron filings across the paper in a pattern.
- The technician carefully swept away the metal filings to prevent them from contaminating the delicate internal components of the engine.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form.

## Examples

- I spent the whole morning doing the office filing.
- The company's latest tax filing revealed a significant increase in international revenue over the last fiscal year.
- Efficient filing systems are the backbone of administrative productivity, ensuring that critical data remains accessible even as the volume of physical and digital records grows exponentially.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.