lashing

¹ American  

[lash-ing] / ˈlæʃ ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that lashes.

2. a whipping with or as if with a lash.

3. a severe scolding; tongue-lashing.

4. Chiefly British Informal. Usually lashings a large amount; an abundance (usually followed byof ).

   strawberries with lashings of cream;

   scallops with a lashing of olive oil.

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lashing ² American  

[lash-ing] / ˈlæʃ ɪŋ /

noun

1. a binding or fastening with a rope or the like.

2. the rope or the like used.

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lashing ¹ British  

/ ˈlæʃɪŋ /

noun

1. a whipping; flogging

2. a scolding

3. informal large amounts; lots

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lashing ² British  

/ ˈlæʃɪŋ /

noun

1. rope, cord, etc, used for binding or securing

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Etymology

Origin of lashing¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, and in 1820–30 lashing ¹ for def. 4; from Middle English lasshyng, lashynge; see origin at lash ¹, -ing ¹; lashing ¹ def. 4 developed from the sense “to spend money lavishly or foolishly”

Origin of lashing²

First recorded in 1660–70; lash ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lashing

With rain lashing down in Pennsylvania, both players took two of the next six holes before Leng Jr misread a putt on the 12th to hand his opponent a three-hole lead.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

He is increasingly lashing out for fear that voters will ditch him.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026

Things are not going well at the moment, so he’s lashing out.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 13, 2026

Bursting forward with intent, Murillo held off two challenges before lashing a superb low strike past Ederson into the far corner from 25 yards.

From Barron's ● Feb. 19, 2026

“I wish I had a stone for the knife,” the old man said after he had checked the lashing on the oar butt.

From "The Old Man and The Sea" by Ernest Hemingway