facing

American  

[fey-sing] / ˈfeɪ sɪŋ /

noun

1. a covering in front, for ornament, protection, etc., as an outer layer of stone on a brick wall.

2. a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornament or strengthening.

3. material turned outward or inward, as a cuff or hem.

4. facings, coverings of a different color applied on the collar, cuffs, or other parts of a military coat.

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facing British  

/ ˈfeɪsɪŋ /

noun

1. a piece of material used esp to conceal the seam of a garment and prevent fraying

2. (usually plural) a piece of additional cloth, esp in a different colour, on the collar, cuffs, etc, of the jacket of a military uniform, formerly used to denote the regiment

3. an outer layer or coat of material applied to the surface of a wall

4. marketing an area of retail shelf space

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Etymology

Origin of facing

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; face + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

At the Mojave National Preserve — a 1.6-million-acre stretch of desert between Las Vegas and Los Angeles — the challenges facing the iconic plant are evident.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Outside the hearing, festival co-director Simon Clarke said: "We have been facing censorship, stood our ground, and stand by our robust safety measures."

From BBC • May 19, 2026

The utility industry is facing its biggest increase in customer demand in decades, much of it driven by artificial intelligence-related data center construction.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

In their view, if aluminum consumption outweighs its production, inventory drawdowns will have to support the imbalance — which Citigroup says is the main issue currently facing the market.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

Hila was still facing forward, but her eyes had rolled back so that only the whites were visible.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny