doing

noun do·ing \ ˈdü-iŋ \

Updated on: 3 Dec 2017

Definition of doing

1 : the act of performing or executing : action

that will take a great deal of doing

2 doings plural

a : things that are done or that occur : goings-on

everyday doings

b : social activities

See doing defined for English-language learners

See doing defined for kids

Examples of doing in a Sentence

It's the doing of the good deed that is important, not the thanks you receive.
is that mess in the kitchen your doing?

Recent Examples of doing from the Web

Hezekiah Allen, executive director of the California Growers Association, said cannabis cultivators welcome collaborative research projects such as those proffered by SMUD – but have their own way of doings things.

— hudson sangree, sacbee, "Pot growers in Sacramento will need a lot of electricity. SMUD wants to help," 23 Oct. 2017
Coordinate efforts or risk double-doing. Utilize diplomacy.

— linda black, seattletimes.com, "Astrological Forecasts for 09/08/2017," 8 Sep. 2017
With Scott Tolzien under center, Zak Keefer says the Colts’ messy QB situation is their own doing.

— jacob feldman, SI.com, "NFL for Breakfast: Introducing The MMQB's Morning Huddle," 5 Sep. 2017
Others dismissed the unrest as the doings of foreign subversives.

— fredrick kunkle, chicagotribune.com, "Labor Day's radical roots: How a worker revolt on the B&O Railroad almost became a revolution," 3 Sep. 2017
As usual, the two men dine fabulously, and director Michael Winterbottom plops them down in beautiful places in beautiful light (often photographing them at dawn or at dusk, which must have taken some doing).

— gary thompson, Detroit Free Press, "Review: More fine dining, fine humor in ‘Trip to Spain’," 1 Sep. 2017
There is a possibility that your lack of advancement and pay may be of your own doing.

— liz bentley, Marie Claire, "I'm Stuck at My Job and I Can't Seem to Get Out," 24 Oct. 2017
Attorney General Jeff Sessions, even though at least some of that beleaguerment is—thanks to last week’s New York Times interview (and potentially other behind-the-scenes machinations)—his own doing.

— steve vladeck, Slate Magazine, "If he fires the attorney general, Donald Trump can take three very different approaches to appointing his successor.," 25 July 2017
But the agonizing feeling was the two turnovers that led to 10 points for Kansas City in a seven-point game – and one of the turnovers was his doing.

— zach berman, Philly.com, "Carson Wentz draws high praise from Andy Reid, Doug Pederson," 18 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'doing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of doing

14th century

doing Synonyms

Synonyms

act, deed, action, exploit, feat, thing

DOING Defined for English Language Learners

doing

noun

Definition of doing for English Language Learners

: the act of making something happen through your own action
doings : things that someone does : things that happen

DOING Defined for Kids

doing

noun do·ing \ ˈdü-iŋ \

Definition of doing for Students

1 : the act of performing : action

It will take some doing to beat us.

2 doings plural : things that are done or that go on

He asked about all the doings back home.

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