sailing

noun

sail·​ing ˈsā-liŋ How to pronounce sailing (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The news comes after a Holland America Line ship rescued two people from a sailing vessel in distress in August during a cruise from Boston to Quebec City, Canada. Nathan Diller, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 There’s a big difference between occasionally dabbling in a few sailings to the Bahamas—or perhaps zipping about on a speedboat—and true expertise in the water. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025 In addition to the impeccable service, fine dining, and luxury accommodations, one constant was our daily sightings of pink dolphins that would play around the boat and our skiffs during our four-night sailing. Jeri Clausing, AFAR Media, 21 Oct. 2025 Passengers will be able to find his elevated Mediterranean cuisine on 2026 Greek Isles sailings, including a voyage to Mykonos and Hydra in April and one to Santorini and Yalikavak in May. Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sailing

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sailing was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Sailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sailing. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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