hiding

¹ American  

[hahy-ding] / ˈhaɪ dɪŋ /

noun

1. act of concealing; concealment.

   to remain in hiding.

2. a secret refuge or means of concealment.

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hiding ² American  

[hahy-ding] / ˈhaɪ dɪŋ /

noun

Informal.

1. a severe beating; flogging; thrashing.

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hiding ¹ British  

/ ˈhaɪdɪŋ /

noun

1. the state of concealment (esp in the phrase in hiding )

2. a place of concealment

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hiding ² British  

/ ˈhaɪdɪŋ /

noun

1. informal a flogging; beating

2. to be bound to fail; to face impossible odds

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Etymology

Origin of hiding¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; hide ¹ + -ing ¹

Origin of hiding²

First recorded in 1800–10; hide ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Hiding under a desk would have been ineffective, but it broke up the school routine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Hiding vegetables in food is usually framed as a parenting tactic — a way to smuggle spinach past a suspicious toddler.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2026

"Hiding behind code and claiming that technology is neutral is no longer acceptable."

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

"Hiding it... is censorship and manipulation, and that's not good at all," added Courtois.

From Barron's • Oct. 21, 2025

Hiding behind bushes he watched Fred climb up to the Castiglione’s tree house with the painting.

From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett