skydiving

American  

[skahy-dahy-ving] / ˈskaɪˌdaɪ vɪŋ /

Or sky diving

noun

1. the sport of jumping from an airplane at a moderate or high altitude and free-falling and using one's body to control direction or movements before opening one's parachute.

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skydiving British  

/ ˈskaɪˌdaɪvɪŋ /

noun

1. the sport of parachute jumping, in which participants perform manoeuvres before opening the parachute and attempt to land accurately

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Other Word Forms

• sky diver
  noun

Etymology

Origin of skydiving

First recorded in 1955–60; sky + dive + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Skydiving could be an effective way to avoid predators.

From Science Magazine • May 23, 2022

Skydiving is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

From Fox News • Feb. 21, 2022

Skydiving is exactly what it sounds like — using an airplane to ascend to 12,000, 15,000 or even 18,000 feet before diving into thin air.

From Washington Post • Aug. 8, 2021

Created with the support of the Women’s Skydiving Network, the squad was formed in 2020 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 6, 2021

An avid skydiver, Horan has made more than three thousand jumps and serves on the board of the International Skydiving Museum and Hall of Fame.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge