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

Most of the new sailings offer a visit to Celebration Key, Carnival’s new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama Island. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025

The sailing is currently available to book for previous Seabourn guests, and opens to the general public on Aug. 13. —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025

In February 2025, Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze set off on a seven-night sailing from Papeete, Tahiti, bound for five islands in French Polynesia, including Bora-Bora and Raiatea. —Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2025

Biscayne Bay is a heavily trafficked waterway, serving commercial shipping, recreational boating, sailing camps and clubs, and fishing and diving. —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 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