hiding

¹ American  

[hahy-ding] / ˈhaɪ dɪŋ /

noun

1. act of concealing; concealment.

   to remain in hiding.

2. a secret refuge or means of concealment.

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hiding ² American  

[hahy-ding] / ˈhaɪ dɪŋ /

noun

Informal.

1. a severe beating; flogging; thrashing.

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hiding ¹ British  

/ ˈhaɪdɪŋ /

noun

1. the state of concealment (esp in the phrase in hiding )

2. a place of concealment

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hiding ² British  

/ ˈhaɪdɪŋ /

noun

1. informal a flogging; beating

2. to be bound to fail; to face impossible odds

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Etymology

Origin of hiding¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; hide ¹ + -ing ¹

Origin of hiding²

First recorded in 1800–10; hide ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Grede also recommends abandoning “women-helping-women culture,” which she describes as hiding “our wants under the veil of friendship.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Intuitiveness is often achieved by hiding complexity, and hiding complexity means that users never have to encounter, or question, what’s happening behind the scenes.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

He admitted police had "obtained information" about where Freeman was hiding, but emphasised that "we can't go into how".

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

In “The Getaway”—filmed twice for the big screen—Doc and Carol McCoy conclude their escape hiding in caves, then a hut made of dung, before they end up in the infernal domain of El Rey.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

“You want your hiding place as high as possible,” he went on eagerly.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom