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noun B1 Intermediate Common

rolling

ROH-lihng
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Rolling (noun) means the action of something turning over and over as it moves. Example: “The rolling of the ship made several passengers seasick.”

noun
1
The action of something turning over and over as it moves.
"The rolling of the ship made several passengers seasick."
"The rolling of the barrels down the ramp made a loud rumbling noise."
"A gentle rolling of the ball across the floor made the baby laugh."
adj
1
Happening continuously or in a steady, ongoing sequence.
"The company gave rolling updates throughout the crisis."
"The shop runs a rolling programme of sales, with new offers every week."
"The news channel provides rolling coverage of the storm all day long."

How to use rolling

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTurning over repeatedly while moving, or (as an adjective) continuing steadily without a fixed end point.

Common pairings
rolling news rolling hills rolling admission
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Word forms

Plural
rollings
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ of the ship made several passengers seasick.

Etymology

Formed from roll plus the -ing suffix.

Related words

Rhymes for rolling

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Frequently asked questions

What does “rolling” mean?
The word “rolling” means the action of something turning over and over as it moves. In plain terms, turning over repeatedly while moving, or (as an adjective) continuing steadily without a fixed end point.
How do you pronounce “rolling”?
“Rolling” is pronounced ROH-lihng (/ˈɹol.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rolling” in a sentence?
Here is “rolling” used in a sentence: “The rolling of the ship made several passengers seasick.”
What part of speech is “rolling”?
Depending on how it is used, “rolling” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “rolling” a common word?
“Rolling” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “rolling” have?
“Rolling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the action of something turning over and over as it moves.
What is the difference between rolling and sliding?
In rolling, an object turns over and over as it moves, so different points of its surface touch the ground in turn — like a wheel or a ball. In sliding, the same face stays in contact and drags across the surface. Rolling usually meets far less friction, which is why wheels are so useful.
What is an example of rolling?
A ball rolling down a hill, a wheel turning along a road, or a log rolling across the ground all show rolling. The object repeatedly turns over itself as it travels forward, rather than sliding or being carried. Coins, barrels and tyres move the same way.
What is rolling motion?
Rolling motion is movement where an object rotates about its own axis while also travelling forward, combining spinning and moving in one action. Ideally each point of the surface touches the ground without slipping. It is how round objects such as wheels, balls and cylinders move most efficiently.

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