Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

scouting

noun scout·ing \ ˈskau̇-tiŋ \
|Updated on: 18 Jul 2018

Definition of scouting

1 : the action of one that scouts
2 often capitalized : the activities of various national and worldwide organizations for youth directed to developing character, citizenship, and individual skills

See scouting defined for English-language learners

See scouting defined for kids

Recent Examples of scouting from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scouting.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of scouting

1590

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

SCOUTING Defined for English Language Learners

scouting

noun

Definition of scouting for English Language Learners

  • : the activities of Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups

SCOUTING Defined for Kids

scouting

noun scout·ing \ ˈskau̇-tiŋ \

Definition of scouting for Students

1 : the activity of gathering information or searching an area
2 often capitalized : the general activities of Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups

Learn More about scouting

  1. See words that rhyme with scouting Nglish: Translation of scouting for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scouting for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up scouting? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

halcyon

play

peaceful, happy, or prosperous

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. socialism 'a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government'

  2. uphold 'to let stand'

  3. due process 'a course of formal proceedings (as judicial proceedings)'

  4. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  5. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

scouting

Test Your Vocabulary

Test Your Emoji Exceptionalism

  • test-your-emoji-exceptionalism-written-with-a-lot-of-emoji
  • What is this emoji intended to represent: 🤳
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games