sailing

[sey-ling]

noun

1. the activity of a person or thing that sails.

2. the departure of a ship from port.

   The cruise line offers sailings every other day.

3. Navigation.,  any of various methods for determining courses and distances by means of charts or with reference to longitudes and latitudes, rhumb lines, great circles, etc.

sailing

/ ˈseɪlɪŋ /

noun

1. the practice, art, or technique of sailing a vessel

2. a method of navigating a vessel

   rhumb-line sailing

3. an instance of a vessel's leaving a port

   scheduled for a midnight sailing

Other Word Forms

• well-sailing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sailing¹

before 900; Middle English seiling, Old English seglung. See sail, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

However, roses on my birthday, coinciding with the anniversary of our infamous sailing date, and our exchanges of “I love you,” did endear him to me.

From Los Angeles Times

Last week, David Adler posted what he said would be his final communication from aboard a boat sailing toward Gaza carrying medical supplies, food and other aid.

From Los Angeles Times

It has not all been plain sailing, of course, since Howe's appointment or the takeover a few weeks prior.

From BBC

Ferries and trains have been cancelled and bridges shut, and a ferry sailing from Dublin to Holyhead has spent hours circling offshore as it is unable to berth.

From BBC

Many of those who signed up have given up hope of the ship ever sailing, or of getting their money back.

From BBC

Related Words

• escape 
• evacuation 
• exit 
• exodus 
• flight 
• passage 
• removal 
• retirement 
• retreat 
• separation 
• takeoff 
• walkout 
• withdrawal