pairing vs mating

pairing and mating both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
pairing	Yes	No	No	No
mating	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, pairing and mating are synonyms defined as:

pairing and mating: the act of pairing a male and female for reproductive purposes

Other synonyms of pairing include conjugation, coupling, sexual union, union.

pairing (noun)	mating (noun)
the act of pairing a male and female for reproductive purposes	the act of pairing a male and female for reproductive purposes
the act of grouping things or people in pairs