westing

[ wes-ting ]

noun

1. Navigation. the distance due west made good on any course tending westward; westerly departure.
2. Surveying. a distance west from a north-south reference line.

westing

/ ˈwɛstɪŋ /

noun

1. nautical movement, deviation, or distance covered in a westerly direction, esp as expressed in the resulting difference in longitude

Word History and Origins

Origin of westing¹

First recorded in 1620–30; west + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

In order to move the mountain of flesh a Westing purchase and a "handy-billy" (rope and block purchase) had to be rigged.

From Project Gutenberg

The following wind had been probably slightly east of south-east and too much westing had been made.

From Project Gutenberg

She was making westing, and the Olympian Bluenose aft was driving his wind-harried steed up into fairer and warmer latitudes.

From Project Gutenberg

We are somewhere off Cork, and when he makes a few miles more westing, he will bear away south.

From Project Gutenberg

The westing we were making brought us among people who are frequently visited by the Mambari as slave-dealers.

From Project Gutenberg