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Synonyms

boating

American  
[boh-ting] / ˈboʊ tɪŋ /

noun

  1. the use of boats, especially for pleasure.

    He enjoyed boating and swimming.

adjective

  1. of or relating to boats.

    boating clothes.
boating British  
/ ˈbəʊtɪŋ /

noun

  1. the practice of rowing, sailing, or cruising in boats as a form of recreation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of boating

First recorded in 1600–10; boat + -ing 1, -ing 2

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.

There are world-class rapids where Olympian kayakers train and islands with boating and swimming clubs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

Edwardian author Kenneth Grahame's story of boating, caravanning and picnicking and the hi-jinks of a cross-dressing amphibian is also an ode to the English landscape.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

In 2028, the port will host six boating and sailing events during the Summer Olympic Games.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

The village was initially developed as an exclusive resort for wealthy holidaymakers in the 19th Century, with the Meare boating lake inspired by the story of Peter Pan.

From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026

Camp activities included séances, hymn singing, boating, archery, and picnics.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

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.