necking

American  

[nek-ing] / ˈnɛk ɪŋ /

noun

1. Informal. kissing, caressing, and other sexual activity between partners that does not involve stimulation of the genitals or sexual intercourse.

2. Architecture.

   1. a molding or group of moldings between the projecting part of a capital of a column and the shaft.

   2. gorgerin.

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necking British  

/ ˈnɛkɪŋ /

noun

1. informal the activity of kissing and embracing passionately

2. Also called: gorgerin.  architect one or more mouldings at the top of a column between the shaft and the capital

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Etymology

Origin of necking

First recorded in 1795–1805; neck + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Instead of dancing and necking and maybe even performing for the hippies in Haight-Ashbury, Elvis Presley had spent an endless seven years in Southern California, forsaking his music career for one on the silver screen.

From Washington Post • Aug. 15, 2018

Basically middle-aged music nerds in plastic glasses necking $8 beers, with a few kids to spike the energy and enthusiasm.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2017

But the 44-year-old made light of being passed over, posting a humorous picture on Twitter of herself necking a bottle of champagne.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2017

To establish social dominance, male giraffes engage in a practice known as necking, swinging their heads at each other and trying to score a hit with their ossicones, the horn-like growths on their skulls.

From The New Yorker • May 17, 2016

Who wouldn’t be appalled to find her brother and his girlfriend necking in her brand-new house, in the prize bathroom of all places?

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu