sailing

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

Examples of sailing in a Sentence

They're going sailing next week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight assessment indicated that only three blank sailings have been announced on the Asia-to-Europe trade route this week, indicating higher capacity deployment to accommodate peak season cargo. —Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 26 May 2026

Its 2026 sailings are 92% booked. —Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Costa Cruises, which is based in Genoa, Italy, offers sailings through the Mediterranean, Caribbean and South America. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026

Le Acacie Hotel Families will adore Le Acacie Hotel & Residence, which sits right on the water’s edge where guests can find a wide variety of activities from sailing and diving to cycling and hiking. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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