sounding

¹ American  

[saun-ding] / ˈsaʊn dɪŋ /

adjective

Archaic.

1. emitting or producing a sound or sounds.

2. resounding or sonorous.

3. having an imposing sound; high-sounding; pompous.

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noun

1. a verbal contest or confrontation, as among teenage boys or street-gang members, in which the trading of often elaborate insults and invective takes the place of physical violence.

sounding ² American  

[saun-ding] / ˈsaʊn dɪŋ /

noun

1. Often soundings. the act of measuring the depth of an area of water with or as if with a lead and line.

2. soundings,

   1. an area of water that can be sounded with an ordinary lead and line, the depth being 100 fathoms (180 meters) or less.

   2. the results or measurement obtained by sounding with a lead and line.

3. Meteorology. any vertical penetration of the atmosphere for scientific measurement, especially a radiosonde observation.

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idioms

1. off soundings, in waters beyond the 100-fathom (180-meter) depth.

2. on soundings, in waters less than 100 fathoms (180 meters) deep, so that the lead can be used.

sounding ¹ British  

/ ˈsaʊndɪŋ /

noun

1. (sometimes plural) the act or process of measuring depth of water or examining the bottom of a river, lake, etc, as with a sounding line

2. an observation or measurement of atmospheric conditions, as made using a radiosonde or rocketsonde

3. (often plural) measurements taken by sounding

4. (plural) a place where a sounding line will reach the bottom, esp less than 100 fathoms in depth

5. in waters less than 100 fathoms in depth

6. in waters more than 100 fathoms in depth

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sounding ² British  

/ ˈsaʊndɪŋ /

adjective

1. resounding; resonant

2. having an imposing sound and little content; pompous

   sounding phrases

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Other Word Forms

• soundingness
  noun
• soundingly
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of sounding¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English; sound ¹ + -ing ²

Origin of sounding²

First recorded 1300–50; Middle English; see origin at sound ³, -ing ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sounding

International organisations have been sounding the alarm over the possible spread of famine, already declared in parts of the country, while around 20 million people suffer from severe food insecurity.

From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2026

Lately I’ve noticed the press has been sounding the alarm about the possibility of a downturn in consumer spending.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026

The symphony orchestra takes its name from the Greek symphonía, meaning sounding in agreement, and orkhēstra which implies a public stage for dance or, in ancient Rome, where senators and other big shots sat.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026

She was able to unlock her phone and record what was happening, the court heard, and that she was described as sounding in pain, upset and crying.

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026

“I never had the choice,” he says, sounding just the slightest bit growly.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

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