PACING Definition & Meaning

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pacing

[ pey-sing ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the act or result of setting the rate of movement or progress, as of a story, movie, lesson, etc.:
The pacing of a video presentation must be appropriate; too slow is just as common (and as bad) as too fast.
the act of walking back and forth, as to expend nervous energy:
For several minutes after she entered, he continued his restless pacing to and fro as if unaware of her presence.
the act of walking with slow, regular steps:
Above my head, at intervals, I heard the pacing of the sentry upon the roof.
the act or process of measuring something by counting the steps taken to walk its length at a normal stride:
Though surveyors find it a quick and easy way to measure distance in the field, accurate pacing can only be accomplished by practice.

adjective

walking back and forth, as to expend nervous energy:
I tried to focus my attention on anything but the rapidly pacing detective, who was deep in thought.
walking with slow, regular steps:
Seeing the pacing security guard in front of the sliding doors, she looked around quickly for another way out.
(of a horse or other animal) moving in such a way that the feet on the same side are lifted and put down together:
A pacing horse will swing its head from side to side as opposed to up and down.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of pacing¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; pac(e) ¹( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses; pac(e) ¹( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses

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Example Sentences

She helped guide USC past Kansas State in the Sweet 16, pacing the team in scoring.

From

Role Model answered the phone while pacing around a Holiday Inn Express gym.

From

But I’m not sure of the film’s intentions when Killian responds by flinging food, scaring Ken’s kids and pacing the room as though it were a cage.

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Lund’s approach to a deeply American subject involved pacing and formal choices that one might more often associate with European art films or even Asian “slow cinema.”

From

According to its report, Queen Elizabeth was seen "pacing casually" with her sister Princess Margaret on the road by the gatehouse to the castle when the president drove up with Prince Philip just before noon.

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