# tiring

/ˈtaɪɹɪŋ/ (US) · /tˈaɪəɹɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tiring
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. causing exhaustion

adjective · CEFR B1

making you feel tired and in need of rest.

For teachers: causing physical or mental fatigue; depleting one's energy reserves.

- It was a long and tiring day at the office with many meetings.
- The mountain ascent proved exceptionally tiring for the novice hikers, who had underestimated the impact of the steep incline and thin air.

### 2. the process of becoming weary

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act or process of getting tired.

For teachers: the action or state of becoming fatigued; the gerundive use of the verb 'tire'.

- The gradual tiring of the runners was obvious in the final lap.
- Physiologists monitored the progressive tiring of the muscle groups to determine the exact point of athletic failure during the endurance trial.

Usage: Often functions as the subject or object of a sentence in formal analysis of physical exertion.

### 3. hawk feed

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

tough bits of bone or meat given to a hawk to keep it busy.

For teachers: tough pieces of meat or bone given to a hawk to engage it and abate its hunger without providing a full meal.

- The falconer gave the bird some tiring to keep it occupied.
- The master of the hunt provided the hawk with a piece of tiring, ensuring the bird remained focused without becoming too heavy to fly.

Usage: Specific to the field of falconry.

## Examples

- It was a long and tiring day at the office.
- The hike was incredibly tiring because the trail was steep and the sun was very hot.
- While the work is intellectually rewarding, the constant travel and irregular hours make the lifestyle quite tiring for those with young families.

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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.