- present participle of fish.
fishing
Americannoun
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the act of catching fish.
Fishing is not allowed in this park.
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the technique, occupation, or diversion of catching fish.
A day at sea with Floyd has greatly improved my fishing.
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the conditions for catching fish.
The fishing is exceptionally good today.
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Archaic. a place or facility for catching fish.
noun
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the occupation of catching fish
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( as modifier )
a fishing match
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another word for piscary
Etymology
Origin of fishing
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English fisshing; see origin at fish, -ing 1
Vocabulary lists containing fishing
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A kayaker was bitten by a hammerhead that year, too, and people fishing off Sunset Beach encountered a 10-foot hammerhead, according to news accounts at the time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026
In July, a fishing influencer almost lost his leg after being attacked by a reef shark whilst spearfishing.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
“This is a great fishing shirt,” he said.
From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026
Their population of about 20,000 Russian citizens lives in a harsh climate, but the islands have mineral deposits including gold and silver, and rich fishing grounds.
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
"King of Worms! I know there must have been someone there who wanted to go fishing tomorrow! And was looking for bait! And they saw King of Worms and took him!"
From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.