sailing

noun sail·ing \ ˈsā-liŋ \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of sailing

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

See sailing defined for English-language learners

Examples of sailing in a Sentence

They're going sailing next week.

Recent Examples of sailing from the Web

Sagan was Nye’s professor at Cornell, and Nye oversees the society’s quest to launch a solar sailing satellite.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Bill Nye: 'Science Guy' to statesman," 13 Apr. 2018
Our program uses the adventure sailing model of bringing kids into water sports.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Havre de Grace Youth Sailing Program expects to teach 120 children how to sail this summer," 11 Apr. 2018
The collection also includes a white fleece Sailing Club logo hoodie, a sailing jacket, T-shirts and swim shorts.

— ingrid schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, "Style Notes: Laverne Cox and Paris Hilton Headline Beautycon New York; A&F Launches JFK-Inspired Line," 9 Apr. 2018
In March, there were regattas and sailing competitions as near as San Diego and as far as the British Virgin Isles.

— nicole miller-coleman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "It's a ducky affair: Fundraiser supports preschool program," 8 Apr. 2018
The luxury cruise line rolled out new sailings that explore Europe's rivers and then set sail along the North Sea coast.

— mary forgione, latimes.com, "River or ocean cruise? Now Viking lets you do both in a single journey," 5 Apr. 2018
As the defenders of sailing's most prestigious prize, New Zealand won the right to host the 2021 America's Cup finals and decide what class of boat will be used.

— danielle rossingh and shirley robertson, CNN, "Why the next America's Cup is going back to basics," 3 Apr. 2018
This particular sailing of the Volendam started in Hong Kong and ended in Shanghai, with stops along the way in the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan.

— dan fellner, USA TODAY, "Pickleball at sea? These cruise ships court fans with facilities," 1 Apr. 2018
During the sailing season, which begins on April 4 and continues through November, students from around the area will sail aboard Lady Maryland and learn about the environment and sailing.

— kim hairston, baltimoresun.com, "Living Classroom's Lady Maryland gets some winter maintenence," 30 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of sailing

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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SAILING Defined for English Language Learners

sailing

noun

Definition of sailing for English Language Learners

: the sport or activity of traveling on water in a sailboat

Learn More about sailing

See words that rhyme with sailing Spanish Central: Translation of sailing Nglish: Translation of sailing for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sailing for Arabic speakers

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sailing

Definition of sailing

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SAILING Defined for English Language Learners

sailing

Definition of sailing for English Language Learners

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