nosing

American

[noh-zing] / ˈnoʊ zɪŋ /

noun

Architecture.

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

nosing British

/ ˈnəʊzɪŋ /

noun

the edge of a step or stair tread that projects beyond the riser
a projecting edge of a moulding, esp one that is half-round

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of nosing

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bears, who can weigh up to half a ton and outrun humans, have been breaking into homes looking for food, nosing around schools and rampaging through supermarkets.

From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025

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

"When mami was pulled out of the cellar I had customers coming around to me and looking and nosing at what was going on."

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2024

Plus I couldn’t stand the thought of Mother nosing around, criticizing me all over again.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023