fishing

[ fish-ing ]

noun

1. the act of catching fish:

   Fishing is not allowed in this park.

2. the technique, occupation, or diversion of catching fish:

   A day at sea with Floyd has greatly improved my fishing.

3. the conditions for catching fish:

   The fishing is exceptionally good today.

4. Archaic. a place or facility for catching fish.

fishing

/ ˈfɪʃɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. the occupation of catching fish
   2. ( as modifier )

      a fishing match

2. See piscary
   another word for piscary

Word History and Origins

Origin of fishing¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English fisshing; fish, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Masu are also an important food source for local villagers, who can catch scores of them in a leisurely day of ice fishing.

From Popular-Science

In the olden days, these fibers were used as bowstrings and fishing nets.

From Ozy

On her account, the Mundugumor thought fishing was an occupation appropriate mainly to women, while the Arapesh considered painting in color to be the exclusive purview of men.

From Nautilus

Her team’s findings could inspire new approaches, such as providing refuges and fishing protections for species that can control these spiny reef-eaters.

From Science News

The fishing industry, like the meat industry, exacts its share of environmental costs.

From Freakonomics

Like his old man, he keeps it reined in, but when talking about fishing, a true regret seeps out.

From The Daily Beast

You will find one of the best places on earth to go salmon fishing.

From The Daily Beast

But fishing for rationale in harassment is almost always a waste of time.

From The Daily Beast

Sargent said they went skiing in Vail and fishing in Cabo but also talked business.

From The Daily Beast

But as it takes away the safety net, their corpses wind up in fishing nets.

From The Daily Beast

This intimacy arose partly from association while fishing for Cod, which abound in these waters, and partly from trading in furs.

From Project Gutenberg

He knows the whole piano literature, and is continually fishing up some new or old pearl or other to surprise one with.

From Project Gutenberg

Alila has still another way of fishing which is not as hard work as diving, though, after all, it is not much fun.

From Project Gutenberg

They have developed fishing and agriculture, and have brought the tourist into districts little visited before.

From Project Gutenberg

Above the buildings of the opposite side of the street rose the spars of several fishing-boats; the creek finished at Rosewater.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fly-fishing