sailing

noun

sail·​ing ˈsā-liŋ How to pronounce sailing (audio)
Synonyms of sailingnext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The hotel’s clientele reflects the international sailing crowd moored in Vinogradišće Bay, most of which hails from the UK, the US, and Scandinavia. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026 His two boys — who are 6 and 8 — spent their summer days hiking, swimming, and going to sailing camps and their nights watching (and talking) Boston Red Sox baseball. — Marah Eakin, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 After a weekend of carnage, as well as some exciting racing, this small, picturesque seaside town in northeastern Germany, which not many around the world will have heard of, was put on the sailing map. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 The island is the first stop on a new Orient Express sailing yacht tour of the Cyclades to Constantinople. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sailing

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

Phrases Containing sailing

Rhymes for sailing

See All Rhymes for sailing

Browse Nearby Words

sail hook
sailing
sailing boat
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Cite this Entry

“Sailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sailing. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sailing

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sailing

Nglish: Translation of sailing for Spanish Speakers

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