hunting

noun

hunt·​ing ˈhən-tiŋ How to pronounce hunting (audio)
1
: the act of one that hunts
specifically : the pursuit of game
2
: the process of hunting
3
a
: a periodic variation in speed of a synchronous electrical machine
b
: a self-induced and undesirable oscillation of a variable above and below the desired value in an automatic control system
c
: a continuous attempt by an automatically controlled system to find a desired equilibrium condition

Examples of hunting in a Sentence

His hobbies include hunting and fishing. The law prohibits the hunting of migratory birds. She likes to go hunting.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kodiak Island, Alaska, for instance, is home to the highest density of brown bears in the world—not despite the hunting that takes place there, but because of it. Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Dogs that are off leash and get between a bear and their escape route, their food, or their cubs will cause this reaction — this was not an unprovoked attack, and hunting bears would not have prevented it. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025 The property, called Southlands, is located near Lake Seminole and is considered a prime hunting and fishing location. Tamaryn Waters, USA Today, 28 June 2025 In the Northern Rocky Mountain states, where wolves have been delisted, state legislation allows unlimited hunting, trapping and killing of gray wolves, sending wolf populations into declines reminiscent of the historic kill levels that resulted in near-extermination. Jim Martin, Denver Post, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hunting

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hunting was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Hunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hunting. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

hunting

noun
hunt·​ing
: the action of one that hunts
especially : the chasing of game

More from Merriam-Webster on hunting

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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