sailing
SAY-lihng
Sailing (noun) means the activity or sport of traveling across water in a wind-powered boat. Example: “She took up sailing last year and now spends every weekend on the lake.”
noun
1
The activity or sport of traveling across water in a wind-powered boat.
"She took up sailing last year and now spends every weekend on the lake."
"Sailing needs patience, a good sense of direction and a little luck with the weather."
"Sailing is one of the most popular summer sports on the coast."
2
A scheduled departure or voyage of a ship or ferry.
"New ships were built to the order of the Great Eastern Railway, and the service frequency increased, until March 1879, saw a sailing every weekday to Rotterdam, and a thrice-weekly service to Antwerp."
— K. Westcott Jones, Parkeston Quay and the Antwerp Continental Service (1951)
"The evening sailing was cancelled because of rough seas near the island."
"Passengers must arrive an hour before the sailing to the mainland."
"We booked the earliest sailing to avoid the crowds."
"'Then I should like a full list of the warships in Pentland Harbour, recent sailings, and those expected, please. The "Navy List" I suppose you have here?'"
— Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados Mysteries (1927)
How to use sailing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe activity of traveling by sail-powered boat, or a scheduled ferry/ship departure.
Common pairings
go sailing
the next sailing
smooth sailing
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Word forms
- Plural
- sailings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She took up _____ last year and now spends every weekend on the lake.
Etymology
From Middle English sailende, formed from sail + the -ing suffix.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for sailing
See all rhymes for sailing →Frequently asked questions
What does “sailing” mean?
The word “sailing” means the activity or sport of traveling across water in a wind-powered boat. In plain terms, the activity of traveling by sail-powered boat, or a scheduled ferry/ship departure.
How do you pronounce “sailing”?
“Sailing” is pronounced SAY-lihng (/ˈseɪ.lɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sailing” in a sentence?
Here is “sailing” used in a sentence: “Sailing is one of the most popular summer sports on the coast.”
What part of speech is “sailing”?
“Sailing” is a noun.
Where does the word “sailing” come from?
The word “sailing” comes from Middle English. From Middle English sailende, formed from sail + the -ing suffix.
Is “sailing” a common word?
“Sailing” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “sailing” have?
“Sailing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the activity or sport of traveling across water in a wind-powered boat.
What is the difference between sailing and boating?
Boating is the general term for travelling on water in any small vessel, including motorboats. Sailing specifically means travelling in a boat powered by the wind, so all sailing is boating, but boating with an engine is not sailing.
What is the difference between smooth sailing and plain sailing?
Both idioms mean easy, trouble-free progress, as in "after the contract was signed, it was all smooth sailing." "Plain sailing" is the usual form in British English, while "smooth sailing" is more common in American English; the two are interchangeable in meaning.
What is the difference between sailing and yachting?
Sailing covers any travel in a wind-powered boat, from small dinghies to racing boats. Yachting refers to recreational cruising or racing in yachts, and it often suggests larger or more luxurious vessels, including motor yachts that do not use sails at all.
