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

"Each year, we have thousands of students visit us from across Georgia and neighboring states," the Tellus Science Museum's director of education, Hannah Eisla, explained.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

Velasco is reported to be a regular participant in the frequent Sheinbaum-Trump phone confabs — conversations that have emerged as key indicators of how things are going between the neighboring nations.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

In his downtime he would travel by horse and buggy across Pennsylvania and neighboring states with what he called his "exhibition": a new-fangled Edison phonograph, a magic lantern slide projector and later on, movies.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

In essence, the neighboring sale upped the ante as far as Behar’s listing is concerned—and also encouraged her agents to start thinking about other ways they could prove the home’s potential to prospective buyers.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

He visited Disciples of Christ meetings in neighboring Vermont and New York, often preaching for money to pay his college expenses.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• adjoining
• bordering
• nearby