numbering

SayNUM-bur-ing/ˈnʌmbɚɪŋ/UK/ˈnʌmbəɹɪŋ/

4 meanings of numbering

1
noununcountable
A sequence of numbers that shows the order of items or identifies them.
The numbering on the spare parts let the mechanic match each one to its slot.
A clear numbering across the file labels made the records easy to search.
2
noununcountable
The act of creating or assigning a sequence of numbers to identify things.
The numbering of the museum's new acquisitions took the staff several weeks.
Automatic numbering of the support tickets keeps every request traceable.
3
noununcountable
The act of counting or putting items in order using numbers.
The slow numbering of the crowd at the gate held up the line for hours.
The numbering of the herd each spring let the rancher track the new calves.
Similarcount, counting
4
verb
Present participle of number.
The volunteers are numbering the ballots before the count begins.
Numbering the chapters carefully made the manuscript easier to navigate.
Note
The verb form behind the nouns, and the line between them is grammar. As a gerund it takes a direct object (numbering the chapters), while the noun for the act needs of (the numbering of the chapters), and only the noun can take a plural, numberings. The participle also carries the verb's sense of amounting to, as in a crowd numbering several thousand.
Protesters numbering in the hundreds filled the square by noon.
A fleet numbering forty ships sailed from the harbor.

number, verb: To give a number to each of a series of things or people, in writing or aloud. Full entry

Forms: numbernumbers he/she/itnumbering -ing formnumbered past tense, past participle
Spelling: number → numbering: add -ing

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From Middle English nombrynge, equivalent to number plus the suffix -ing.