waiting
n. uncountablen. the act of staying in one place or delaying an action until something else happens. It is the time you spend before you can start or finish something.
n. the action of staying in a place or delaying an activity until a particular time or event occurs. Often used to describe a period of anticipation or a delay in a process.
The long waiting for the bus made me late.
After months of waiting, the family finally received the keys to their new apartment.
The psychological toll of indefinite waiting can often be more taxing than the event itself, as the lack of a clear timeline prevents any meaningful preparation.
From Middle English waitinge, waytynge, waitende, weytende, waitand, waytand, equivalent to wait + -ing.
From Middle English waitynge, waytynge, equivalent to wait + -ing.
Often functions as a gerund; frequently paired with the preposition 'for' when an object follows.
- 01
accident waiting to happen
A thing or situation which is almost certain to eventually lead to an accident.
- 02
ready and waiting
Already prepared for action or use.
- 03
waiting game
A strategy or course of action in which one or more parties refrain from direct action until circumstances change in their favor.