neighboring

American  

[ney-ber-ing] / ˈneɪ bər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. situated or living near; adjacent.

   to visit the neighboring towns.

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Etymology

Origin of neighboring

First recorded in 1595–1605; neighbor + -ing ²

Explanation

An object that's neighboring is right next to something else. Neighboring countries share a common border, and neighboring cars are parked side-by-side. In a restaurant, if someone at the neighboring table starts telling terrible jokes, you'll have to listen, since they're adjacent to your table. And if you live in Maine, New Hampshire is the only neighboring state. The adjective neighboring comes from the verb form of neighbor, which is rooted in the Old English words neah, "near," and gebur, "dweller."

Example Sentences

The smoke from the fire, which has prompted smoke advisories, has made its way to neighboring communities in the region, affecting many residents living near the warehouse.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026

Loudoun County has been able to cut its residential property-tax rate by roughly 30% over the past decade, leaving it significantly lower than neighboring jurisdictions like Fairfax County and the city of Alexandria.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026

The neighboring Mojave South section of the San Andreas Fault currently stands at 2.8 MPa.

From Science Daily • Jun. 18, 2026

“There’s always been a lottery,” insists one of Jackson’s oldest villagers when someone mentions that a neighboring village is thinking of giving it up.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2026

He’d have to take the exam, of course, but then he planned to start secondary school right here in the Sunderbans, on a neighboring island that was just a quick ferry ride away.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

• adjoining
• bordering
• nearby