mak·ing 
/ˈmeɪkɪŋ/ noun
plural mak·ings /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/ noun 1 [noncount] : the action or process of producing or making something
▪ methods used in the making of wine — often used in combination ▪ dressmaking ▪ filmmaking ▪ government policy-making 2 [noncount] : something that causes someone to become better or more successful
▪ His time in the army was the making of him. [=he became a better person because of his time in the army] ▪ That movie was the making of her as an actress. [=that movie made her a well-known and successful actress] 3 makings [plural] a US : the people or things that are needed for making something
▪ With beans, rice, cheese, and fresh salsa, you have (all) the makings of/for a delicious burrito.
b : the qualities that are needed to become something
▪ He has (all) the makings of a great quarterback. [=he has the talent needed to become a great quarterback]
▪ methods used in the making of wine — often used in combination ▪ dressmaking ▪ filmmaking ▪ government policy-making
▪ His time in the army was the making of him. [=he became a better person because of his time in the army] ▪ That movie was the making of her as an actress. [=that movie made her a well-known and successful actress]
▪ With beans, rice, cheese, and fresh salsa, you have (all) the makings of/for a delicious burrito.
b : the qualities that are needed to become something
▪ He has (all) the makings of a great quarterback. [=he has the talent needed to become a great quarterback]
in the making
: in the process of being made
▪ The film was three years in the making. [=it took three years to make the film] ▪ She has a talent for spotting problems in the making. [=for spotting problems as they are beginning to develop] ▪ We were watching history in the making. [=we were watching an important historical event as it happened]
▪ The film was three years in the making. [=it took three years to make the film] ▪ She has a talent for spotting problems in the making. [=for spotting problems as they are beginning to develop] ▪ We were watching history in the making. [=we were watching an important historical event as it happened]
of your own making
: caused by your own actions
▪ The problem is entirely of your own making. [=the problem is entirely your own fault; you alone are responsible for the problem]
▪ The problem is entirely of your own making. [=the problem is entirely your own fault; you alone are responsible for the problem]
