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hacking

American  
[hak-ing] / ˈhæk ɪŋ /

noun

  • hackings
    plural
  1. replacement of a single course of stonework by two or more lower courses.


hacking British  
/ ˈhækɪŋ /

adjective

  1. (of a cough) harsh, dry, and spasmodic

"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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of hacking

1400–50; late Middle English, in literal sense. See hack 1, -ing 1

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.

See Examples For:

U.S. hacking laws prohibit individuals and companies from launching cyberattacks.

From Salon Aug. 17, 2026

Several countries, notably the United States, have voiced alarm in recent years at what they say is hacking activity backed by Beijing targeting their governments, militaries and businesses.

From Barron's Aug. 13, 2026

The U.S. should require these providers to run monitors, known as “classifiers,” that block harmful hacking and bioweapons activity, even when the underlying model allows it.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 11, 2026

OpenAI’s models shared hacking tips on a secret messaging board before Hugging Face breach.

From MarketWatch Aug. 6, 2026

When it was Nok's turn, the woman slid a bird off the roasting rack and started hacking it to pieces with a long butcher knife.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

LockBit has been involved in many high profile hackings, including the UK's Royal Mail in early 2023.

From BBC Feb. 19, 2024

As far as hackings go: not so bad.

From Slate May 9, 2022

The Associated Press reported the hackings in exclusive reports based on the Citizen Lab and Amnesty International findings.

From Seattle Times Jan. 10, 2022

In response to the NotPetya virus and other suspected hackings, the United States in March placed sanctions on six GRU officials.

From Washington Post Dec. 27, 2018

I certainly have known, and still know, characters eminently qualified for the most exalted trusts, who could not bear up against the brutal hackings and hewings of these heroes of Billingsgate.

From Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 4 by Thomas Jefferson Randolph

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