# hitting

/ˈhɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈɪtɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. striking something now

verb · CEFR A2

the action of striking something with your hand or an object.

For teachers: the present participle of 'hit', describing the ongoing action of striking a target with force.

- The rain was hitting the window so hard that we couldn't hear the TV.
- The waves were hitting the sea wall with such intensity that the spray reached the second-story balconies of the nearby hotels.

Usage: As a verb, it is the continuous form of 'hit' and requires a helping verb like 'is' or 'was'.

### 2. the act of striking

noun · CEFR B1

the act of striking someone or something many times.

For teachers: the act of delivering a blow or a series of blows; often used in sports or legal contexts.

- The coach told the player that his hitting was getting much stronger.
- The witness described the hitting in detail, explaining that the suspect had used a heavy object to damage the storefront.

Usage: Often functions as a gerund noun to describe a skill or a specific event of violence.

## Examples

- The hitting in the boxing match was very intense.
- The coach focused on the player's hitting technique to ensure they could drive the ball further into the field.
- While the physical hitting was limited during the demonstration, the sheer force of the impact against the protective shields was enough to demonstrate the weapon's potential.

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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.