sailing

1 of 2

noun

sail·​ing ˈsā-liŋ 

1

a

: the technical skill of managing a ship : navigation

b

: the method of determining the course to be followed to reach a given point

2

a

: the sport of handling or riding in a sailboat

b

: a departure from a port

sailing

2 of 2

present participle of sail entry 2

Examples of sailing in a Sentence

Noun

They're going sailing next week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

From there, Willcox pushed the team toward a flatter structure than the traditional sailing hierarchy, in which a star helmsman and a handful of senior crew dominate decision-making. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Narrated by a local guide, the sailing also folds in history and facts, so that passengers leave with new knowledge on this ecologically rich and diverse area. — Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026

Travelers who make new bookings through November 9 can take an extra 5% off cabins or 10% off suites on select 2026 to 2028 all-inclusive sailings. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026

Founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in 1826, Gallet built a reputation on rugged tool watches used in fields such as aviation, racing, and sailing. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Phrases Containing sailing

• clear sailing
• plain sailing
• sailing ship
• smooth sailing

Rhymes for sailing

• ailing
• bailing
• baling
• failing
• flailing
• grayling
• hailing
• jailing
• mailing
• nailing
• paling
• railing