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 data included 15 voyages, with eight sailing on CMA CGM ships and seven on Cosco Shipping vessels. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 17 July 2026

The primary entertainment on this small sailing yacht is simply watching the sails and the sea, perhaps with a book from the cozy library or a cold beer from the bar. — Jane Wooldridge, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026

The watchmaker teamed up with the folks at the Prada Group’s Luna Rossa sailing team on a pair of timepieces that pay homage to the 38th iteration of the international competition heading for Italian shores in 2027. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 July 2026

One of its plays is in Australia, where the company is offering two sailings on the 2,018-guest Norwegian Spirit in January. — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 15 July 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