Word
manning
Phoneticsman·ning
US/ˈmænɪŋ/
UK/mˈænɪŋ/
Definition
v. to be at a place to work there or look after it, like a reception desk or a ship.
v. to provide personnel for the operation, service, or defence of a station, vehicle, or machine.
Examples
“She is manning the front desk until the manager returns.”
“Volunteers will be manning the phones throughout the weekend to collect donations for the charity.”
“Despite the automation of the facility, a small crew remains on-site manning the control room to intervene in case of a system failure.”
Examples
simple
“She is manning the front desk until the manager returns.”
contextual
“Volunteers will be manning the phones throughout the weekend to collect donations for the charity.”
complex
“Despite the automation of the facility, a small crew remains on-site manning the control room to intervene in case of a system failure.”
Usage
This is the present participle form of the verb 'man'; it takes a direct object representing the station or equipment.
Teaching tip
While 'manning' is standard, some modern professional contexts prefer gender-neutral alternatives like 'staffing' or 'operating'.