sailing

noun

sail·​ing ˈsā-liŋ How to pronounce sailing (audio)
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 Cozy neighborhoods and 12 miles of beaches keep families coming back for more beach weeks spent sunning, sailing, kayaking, and building sandcastles. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024 Here are eight unknown facts about one of the most game-changing sailing yachts on the water. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 Private sailings, horseback riding, whale-watching, jeep tours and pickleball lessons are among the many additional activities that the resort offers as well. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 There are also water activities a-plenty, available via St. Lucia's many luxury resorts, including tennis, beach volleyball, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and snorkeling. Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2024 Hendry’s son, Bryan Hendry, and Brandel’s son, Nick Buro, released a joint statement last month, remembering their parents for living with love, faith and sailing. Michael Rios, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Ships and sailings to know: This cruise line has plied Alaskan waters for more than 75 years, with seven ships sailing 6-19 day itineraries from May to September 2024. Janice Wald Henderson, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2024 Harris echoed that, noting that winter is a particularly good time to take those sailings. Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024 Three men who escaped from a jail in Grenada and allegedly hijacked the catamaran of a Virginia couple sailing in the Caribbean in February have been charged with capital murder in their slayings, authorities in Grenada announced Thursday. Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sailing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sailing was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sailing

Cite this Entry

“Sailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sailing. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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