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

With a full docket of outdoor adventures (bike rentals, sunset cruises, catamaran sailing, snorkeling and diving, parasailing, and more) plus a pool and 200 rooms, the hotel provides a sophisticated take on Key Largo. —Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025

Already, a decline in manufacturing orders from China, and a drop in Chinese freight vessel bookings and sailings to the U.S. are edging the national supply chain closer to a tipping point. —Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025

Go sailing, swimming, or try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding on the Atlantic. —Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 21 Apr. 2025

Some local students have the privilege of competing for their high schools in sailing and surfing, water sports that could only be possible close to waterfront, beach or coastal environments. —Richard Dunn, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 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