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

The Corinthian, the first of Accor’s two Orient Express sailing yachts, set sail on her maiden voyage in May 2026. — Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 23 June 2026

Outdoorsy types will appreciate Tronadora, with its proximity to gorgeous Lake Arenal and abundant opportunities for paddleboarding and sailing. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2026

Common illusions at sea include ships appearing as spinning in circles or sailing on land, posing dangers to commercial maritime vessels trying to navigate. — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

The series was released last week and centers around Hong Kong's wealthy social scene during its boating and sailing season. — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 23 June 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