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Synonyms

fishing

American  
[fish-ing] / ˈfɪʃ ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of catching fish.

    Fishing is not allowed in this park.

  2. the technique, occupation, or diversion of catching fish.

    A day at sea with Floyd has greatly improved my fishing.

  3. the conditions for catching fish.

    The fishing is exceptionally good today.

  4. Archaic. a place or facility for catching fish.

fishing British  
/ ˈfɪʃɪŋ /

noun

    1. the occupation of catching fish

    2. ( as modifier )

      a fishing match

  2. another word for piscary

"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 fishing

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English fisshing; fish, -ing 1

Vocabulary lists containing fishing

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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.

A UK-EU summit is expected later this year, after the two sides struck a deal last May on areas including fishing rights, trade, defence and energy.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

The planned resumption of fishing this spring will enable crews to catch limited numbers of fall-run Chinook salmon on certain dates.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Iran is thought to have thousands of mines, and they can be laid from fishing vessels or other small craft, said Long, the former British navy official.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Charter fishing crews in California harbors are preparing for recreational salmon fishing to reopen after a two-year shutdown.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

She refused to come boogie boarding in Hawaii, and now she’s fishing?

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

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.