sailing

1 of 2

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

sailing

2 of 2

present participle of sail entry 2

Examples of sailing in a Sentence

Noun

They're going sailing next week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Founded in 2023, Villa Vie Residences launched its Odyssey ship on its inaugural sailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland in October 2024 after several months of delays, per the outlet. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026

For something a bit more special, the hotel can arrange a sailing trip with a menu from the Janeiro Restaurant. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026

Kemetale This boutique operator, which launched in 2022 with the Kemet Dahabeya, has small-scale ships that take their cues from the traditional dahabeah, a kind of sailing barge. — Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2026

The British yard, which entered the sailing catamaran segment in September with the debut of the Oyster C60 at the Cannes Yachting Festival, just unveiled its first bluewater power catamaran at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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