Showing results for "nosing"

• present participle of nose.

nosing

American  

[noh-zing] / ˈnoʊ zɪŋ /

noun

Architecture.

1. a projecting edge, as the part of the tread of a step extending beyond the riser or a projecting part of a buttress.

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nosing British  

/ ˈnəʊzɪŋ /

noun

1. the edge of a step or stair tread that projects beyond the riser

2. a projecting edge of a moulding, esp one that is half-round

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Etymology

Origin of nosing

First recorded in 1765–75; nose + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nosing

It has returned 15.8% a year over the past decade, nosing out the benchmark index, which has returned 15.6%, through May 8.

From Barron's ● May 13, 2026

After a laborious setup of some 40 minutes, Blanc finally starts nosing around the scene.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 27, 2025

It’s funny, then, that the people nosing their way past the lines Allen draws and into her personal life are the same ones hoping for Harbour and Allen to be symbols of morality.

From Salon ● Oct. 29, 2025

"He was off like a rocket, loving being out on the roads and nosing in people's gardens and everything like that. He absolutely loved it."

From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2023

“So is that Trepid fellow still going to be nosing around the holler?”

From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech