filing

UK: /ˈfaɪlɪŋ/

From the verb file: (⇒ conjugate)

filing is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

file¹ /faɪl/   n., v., filed, fil•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. a cabinet or other container in which papers, letters, etc., are arranged in order.
2. a collection of papers, records, etc., arranged in order and often in a folder:
   I would like to read my file.
3. Computing a collection of related computer data or program records stored by name, such as on a disk:
   When you type "dir'' you will see a list or directory of the files on your disk.
4. a line of persons or things arranged one behind another:
   a long file of people.

v. 

5. to place in a file:
   [~ + object] There were no jobs open, but they filed my resume.
6. to arrange (papers, records, etc.) in convenient order for storage or reference:
   [~ + object] asked his secretary to file the forms.
7. Journalism to transmit (a news story), as by wire or telephone:
   [~ + object] The correspondent filed his report.
8. Law to initiate (legal proceedings):
   [~ + object] to file charges against the driver.
9. to march in a file or line, one after another:
   [no object] The mourners filed by his coffin.
10. to make application:
    [no object] to file for divorce.

Idioms

11. Idioms on file, held in a file or record;
    filed for easy retrieval or as evidence of something:
    They promised to keep my application on file.

file² /faɪl/   n., v., filed, fil•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. Building a metal tool, esp. of steel, having rough surfaces for reducing or smoothing metal, wood, etc.
2. nail file.

v. [~ + object]

3. to reduce, smooth, or remove with or as if with a file:
   She filed her nails.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

file¹  (fīl), n., v., filed, fil•ing. 
n. 

1. a folder, cabinet, or other container in which papers, letters, etc., are arranged in convenient order for storage or reference.
2. a collection of papers, records, etc., arranged in convenient order:
   to make a file for a new account.
3. Computing a collection of related data or program records stored on some input/output or auxiliary storage medium:
   This program's main purpose is to update the customer master file.
4. a line of persons or things arranged one behind another (distinguished from rank).
5. Military
   • a person in front of or behind another in a military formation.
   • one step on a promotion list.
6. Chess one of the vertical lines of squares on a chessboard.
7. a list or roll.
8. a string or wire on which papers are strung for preservation and reference.
9. Idioms on file, arranged in order for convenient reference;
   in a file:
   The names are on file in the office.

v.t. 

10. to place in a file.
11. to arrange (papers, records, etc.) in convenient order for storage or reference.
12. Journalism
    • Journalism to arrange (copy) in the proper order for transmittal by wire.
    • Journalism to transmit (copy), as by wire or telephone:
      He filed copy from Madrid all through the war.

v.i. 

13. to march in a file or line, one after another, as soldiers:
    The parade filed past endlessly.
14. to make application:
    to file for a civil-service job.

• Late Latin fīlāre, verb, verbal derivative of Latin fīlum thread, string
• Middle French filer to string documents on a thread or wire, Old French: to wind or spin thread
• late Middle English filen 1425–75

file′a•ble, adj. 
fil′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 11. classify, label, catalog, index, list, categorize.

file²  (fīl), n., v., filed, fil•ing. 
n. 

1. Building a long, narrow tool of steel or other metal having a series of ridges or points on its surfaces for reducing or smoothing surfaces of metal, wood, etc.
2. a small, similar tool for trimming and cleaning fingernails;
   nail file.
3. British Terms a cunning, shrewd, or artful person.

v.t. 

4. to reduce, smooth, or remove with or as if with a file.

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English fīl, fēol; cognate with German Feile; akin to Greek pikrós sharp

file′a•ble, adj. 
fil′er, n. 

file³  (fīl), v.t., filed, fil•ing. [Archaic.]

1. to defile;
   corrupt.

• bef. 1000; Middle English; Old English fȳlan to befoul, defile, derivative of fūl foul

fi•lé  (fi lā′, fē′lā), n. [New Orleans Cookery.]

1. Food a powder made from the ground leaves of the sassafras tree, used as a thickener and to impart a pungent taste to soups, gumbos, and other dishes. Also called filé′ pow′der. 

• Louisiana French; literally, twisted, ropy, stringy (perh. origin, originally applied to dishes thickened with the powder), past participle of French filer; see file¹
• 1800–10, American.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

file / faɪl/ noun

1. a folder, box, etc, used to keep documents or other items in order
2. the documents, etc, kept in this way
3. documents or information about a specific subject, person, etc
4. an orderly line or row
5. a line of people in marching formation, one behind another
   Compare rank16
6. any of the eight vertical rows of squares on a chessboard
7. a named collection of information, in the form of text, programs, graphics, etc, held on a permanent storage device such as a magnetic disk
8. a list or catalogue
9. on file ⇒ recorded or catalogued for reference, as in a file

verb

1. to place (a document, letter, etc) in a file
2. (transitive) to put on record, esp to place (a legal document) on public or official record; register
3. (transitive) to bring (a suit, esp a divorce suit) in a court of law
4. (transitive) to submit (copy) to a newspaper or news agency
5. (intransitive) to march or walk in a file or files: the ants filed down the hill

Etymology: 16th Century (in the sense: string on which documents are hung): from Old French filer, from Medieval Latin fīlāre; see filament

ˈfiler noun

file / faɪl/ noun

a hand tool consisting essentially of a steel blade with small cutting teeth on some or all of its faces. It is used for shaping or smoothing metal, wood, etc

verb

1. (transitive) to shape or smooth (a surface) with a file

Etymology: Old English fīl; related to Old Saxon fīla, Old High German fīhala file, Greek pikros bitter, sharp

ˈfiler noun