peering

¹ American  

[peer-ing] / ˈpɪər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. looking narrowly or searchingly, as in the effort to discern clearly.

   We'll build it underground, far from the peering eyes of passersby.

   She risked a peering glance out into the dark corridor.

---

noun

1. the act of looking narrowly or searchingly, as in the effort to discern clearly.

   For my annual peering into the future, here are a few remarks about the changing economy.

peering ² American  

[peer-ing] / ˈpɪər ɪŋ /

noun

Computers.

1. an arrangement under which two or more networks are connected so as to route traffic independently in a direct exchange of data.

   The peering of these two large internet providers will bring faster broadband speeds to the island’s east-coast communities.

---

Other Word Forms

• peeringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of peering¹

First recorded in 1560–70; peer ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective; peer ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun

Origin of peering²

First recorded in 1985–90; peer ² ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Latecomers squeezed into makeshift rows of plastic folding chairs or stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the foyer, peering through glass doors.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

The image of an officer peering into the empty driver’s seat of the offending vehicle may have been good for a chuckle, but other incidents have been no laughing matter.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

The video feed later showed a number of carabinieri and firefighters peering into a manhole nearby as a crowd continued to mill about the square.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

No one was peering over a cubicle wall.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2026

In the last area of the exhibit, Tamika and I stood behind adult-sized astronaut suits, our faces peering through space helmets.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

• inquisitive
• interested