fan
noun
any device for producing a current of air by the movement of a broad surface or a number of such surfaces.
were fanning
-
past progressiveof fan.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
In Greece, firefighters battled a blaze on the Aegean island of Paros, where strong winds were fanning the flames.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
Others at the venue were fanning themselves with hand-held paper fans handed out by delegations from various countries.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025
Volunteers were fanning out to knock on doors, and being trained on how best to spur pro-Harris conversations online.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2024
Across the border in Turkey’s Canakkale province, strong winds were fanning a wildfire for a second day.
From Washington Times ● Aug. 23, 2023
Her cape had a fur collar that rode up so high, and dozens of attendants were fanning her left and right.
From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
