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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.

Philippine Navy spokesman Rear Adm Roy Vincent Trinidad said Filipino troops had seized 10 bottles of cyanide from sampan boats allegedly launched from Chinese fishing vessels in February, July and October last year.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Cyanide fishing has historically been used in parts of Southeast Asia to stun or kill fish, often for the live reef trade.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

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

Sarah Bates, who runs a commercial fishing boat out of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, said the port has become “a pretty sad place” as many have turned to other work.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

“Our da is working for the rent, fishing out of Galway,” Celia said.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff

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.