offering

American  

[aw-fer-ing, of-er-] / ˈɔ fər ɪŋ, ˈɒf ər- /

noun

1. something offered in worship or devotion, as to a deity; an oblation or sacrifice.

2. a contribution given to or through the church for a particular purpose, as at a religious service.

3. anything offered as a gift.

4. something presented for inspection or sale.

5. a sale.

   our spring offering of furniture.

6. the act of one who offers.

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offering British  

/ ˈɒfərɪŋ /

noun

1. something that is offered

2. a contribution to the funds of a religious organization

3. a sacrifice, as of an animal, to a deity

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Etymology

Origin of offering

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English offrung; equivalent to offer + -ing ¹

Explanation

An offering is a type of offer or bid, like the kind made in a business meeting. When you offer something—like a cookie—you're asking someone if they want it. An offering is like that: it's an offer. One type of offering is a proposal or bid made in business. A sports team could make an offering of three million dollars a year to a running back. A bidder could make an offering of one thousand dollars at an auction. An offering is a promise to pay that much if the offering is accepted.

Example Sentences

I rotated through a greatest-hits lineup: Martha Stewart, Jacques Pépin, Samin Nosrat, Ina Garten, J. Kenji López-Alt — each one offering a slightly different path to the same reassuring conclusion: this is not that hard.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

Unlike those held by private-credit funds, the loans that were originated by banks are actively traded, offering daily insight into how investors are assessing their risk of default.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

The Chargers like his versatility at both guard positions and center, offering them a potential starter at either position and much-needed depth.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

A few weeks earlier, Natera had sent me an email offering me a cash rate of $250, meaning that if I paid the bill right then and there, that would be the entire total.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2026

I lift the sword toward the wall as if offering the weapon as a sacrifice.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Related Words

• contribution
• gift