finding

American  

[fahyn-ding] / ˈfaɪn dɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that finds; discovery.

2. Often findings. something that is found found or ascertained.

3. Law. a decision or verdict after judicial inquiry.

4. findings, tools, materials, etc., used by artisans.

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finding British  

/ ˈfaɪndɪŋ /

noun

1. a thing that is found or discovered

2. law the conclusion reached after a judicial inquiry; verdict

3. (plural) the tools and equipment of an artisan

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Other Word Forms

• nonfinding noun

Etymology

Origin of finding

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English; find + -ing ¹

Explanation

A finding is a discovery, especially by scholars or scientists. Finding is the act of researching or analyzing something. If the dog digs up the hamster grave in the backyard, better not to share his finding with the neighbors. Findings are facts that have been found, especially by academics studying something. A dietary study could have the finding that more people are avoiding gluten. An economic study could have the finding that more people are working out of their home. An environmental study could have the finding that a type of toxin is increasing. A dog’s finding would be a little less academic. The word is usually plural, because it usually refers to more than one thing found.

Example Sentences

Dad started thinking about leaving the village and finding work elsewhere.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

She’s still adjusting to L.A., finding beauty in the choices and life she’s made.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

The project focuses on finding better ways to detect and treat aggressive breast cancer by identifying biological clues that reveal how the disease behaves in each patient.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

Each time I tune in—which is every day now—it feels as if someone cooler than me is handing me a mixtape made with care, exactly how finding new music should feel.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

“And besides, what is useless about defending our raft against the cottonmouths? And finding Ragginold! And saving my monocle from the raging mob!”

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Related Words

• conclusion
• data
• decision
• discovery
• recommendation