noun
Common
ing
ihng
Ing (noun) means a low meadow, especially one near a river; a water meadow (a dialect and historical term). Example: “In spring the river floods the ing, and wading birds gather in the shallow water.”
noun
1
A low meadow, especially one near a river; a water meadow (a dialect and historical term).
"In spring the river floods the ing, and wading birds gather in the shallow water."
"Local farmers still cut hay from the old ings near the village."
"Ings, glens, and fens of the Highlands."
"Cattle grazed on the ing beside the river."
How to use ing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old regional word for a riverside meadow, mostly seen now in place names.
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Word forms
- Plural
- ings
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In spring the river floods the _____, and wading birds gather in the shallow water.
Etymology
From Old English ing, "a meadow," related to Old Norse eng, still found in northern English place names.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ing
See all rhymes for ing →Frequently asked questions
What does “ing” mean?
The word “ing” means a low meadow, especially one near a river; a water meadow (a dialect and historical term). In plain terms, an old regional word for a riverside meadow, mostly seen now in place names.
How do you pronounce “ing”?
“Ing” is pronounced ihng (/ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ing” in a sentence?
Here is “ing” used in a sentence: “Cattle grazed on the ing beside the river.”
What part of speech is “ing”?
“Ing” is a noun.
Where does the word “ing” come from?
The word “ing” comes from Old English. From Old English ing, "a meadow," related to Old Norse eng, still found in northern English place names.
Is “ing” a common word?
“Ing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "ing" as a word and the "-ing" suffix?
As a standalone noun, "ing" is a dialect and historical term for a low riverside meadow. This is entirely unrelated to the grammatical suffix "-ing," which forms present participles and gerunds such as "running" or "singing."
Where is the word "ing" used?
"Ing" is a regional and historical term rather than everyday standard English. It survives mainly in local dialect, particularly in parts of northern England, and in English place names.
How does "ing" relate to a water meadow?
A water meadow is low-lying grassland beside a river that is periodically flooded, historically to enrich the soil. An "ing" is essentially this kind of low riverside meadow, so the two terms overlap closely.
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