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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.

In a March 2025 travel advisory, the US State Department warned of potentially deadly boating issues in the Bahamas.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

A gale warning was also in effect for inner coastal waters, with officials discouraging boating until conditions improved.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026

Austria's Standard newspaper says Egisto Ott apparently obtained the work phones after they accidentally fell into the River Danube on an interior ministry boating trip.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 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.