dating

noun3

1. •
   the activity of two people going out together to see if they want a romantic relationship

   • Janet was surprised at how much casual dating had changed since she was last single.
   • We met on a popular dating app.
2. •
   An estimation of the age of an artifact, biological vestige, linguistic usage, etc.

   • A comparison in seven sequoias between very careful counting and accurate dating in 2,000 years shows an average counting error of 35 years, which is only 1.7 per cent. — 1922
3. •
   The setting of a date on which an event or transaction is to take place or take effect.

   • But C.O.D. datings are relatively rare. They are so disliked by buyers that they are used by sellers only when the latter are quite uncertain of a buyer's ability and willingness to pay. — 1967