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

Travelers should note that the itineraries are more limited than longer sailings, though. —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025

Other cruise line travelers can also choose a four-night sail from Miami to Cozumel or three-day West Coast trips embarking from Los Angeles and sailing to Ensenada, Mexico. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025

One tactic to deal with lower demand and softer rates could be blank sailings. —Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 2 Oct. 2025

The annual Marathon, Triathlon, MotoGP, sailing events like the Queen’s Cup, and top-level basketball and soccer matches ensure there’s always an exciting event to watch or join in. —Visit València, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025

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