hunting

noun hunt·ing \ ˈhən-tiŋ \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of hunting

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

See hunting defined for English-language learners

See hunting defined for kids

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 of hunting from the Web

What was just as interesting to me as the hunting was the hunter himself.

— adrian higgins, sacbee, "Spend time with mushroom experts – they’ll grow on you," 8 June 2018
Tell us about this intrepid young woman, why dinosaur hunting is still such a boys’ club, and what can be done to change that?

— robert clark, National Geographic, "Why Today is the Golden Age for Dinosaur Discoveries," 2 June 2018
Courtesy of Icon Global The ranch is well-known for its quail hunting, drawing the attention of outdoors experts Ray Sasser and Ray Murski.

— gordon dickson, star-telegram, "This ranch will make you fall in love with west Texas, and it's for sale," 29 May 2018
National Geographic even has a guide for hunting them, though no amount of hunting has broken their widespread invasion.

— matt simon, WIRED, "Inconvenient Minifauna and the Invasion of the Hammerhead Flatworms," 25 May 2018
However, Brown should be back to hunting, fishing, and running through the forest again in no time.

— temi adebowale, Country Living, "Solomon 'Bear' Brown From 'Alaskan Bush People' Was Hospitalized After a Scary Accident," 18 May 2018
Wildlife biologist Frank van Manen, who prepared the most recent grizzly bear population report for the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, believes that limited hunting will be safe for the bears.

— kate keller, Smithsonian, "First Yellowstone Grizzly Hunt in 40 Years Could Take Place This Fall," 24 May 2018
But while Bird hunting is fun and games for some, other chargers take the job much more seriously.

— taylor lorenz, The Atlantic, "Charging Electric Scooters Is a Cutthroat Business," 20 May 2018
Experts on fishing, hunting, boating and other sporting activities will be on hand to talk with customers.

— gordon dickson, star-telegram, "From bankruptcy to rebirth — take a gander at this outdoors sports store | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 10 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hunting.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of hunting

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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HUNTING Defined for English Language Learners

hunting

noun

Definition of hunting for English Language Learners

: the activity or sport of chasing and killing wild animals
: the activity of searching for something

Learn More about hunting

Spanish Central: Translation of hunting Nglish: Translation of hunting for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hunting for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hunting

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hunting

Definition of hunting

Examples of hunting in a Sentence

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First Known Use of hunting

HUNTING Defined for English Language Learners

hunting

Definition of hunting for English Language Learners

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