healing

American  

[hee-ling] / ˈhi lɪŋ /

adjective

1. curing or curative; prescribed or helping to heal.

2. growing sound; getting well; mending.

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noun

1. the act or process of regaining health.

   a new drug to accelerate healing.

Other Word Forms

• healingly adverb
• self-healing adjective
• unhealing adjective

Etymology

Origin of healing

First recorded before 1000; Middle English heelyng (adjective), helynge (noun); Old English hǣlinge (noun); equivalent to heal + -ing ² for the adjective, heal + -ing ¹ for the noun

Example Sentences

“Here come the ugly parts of what healing actually looks like,” Paul wrote in a lengthy post Sunday on Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Cassileth prescribes peptides largely to postsurgical patients to help with healing and reducing inflammation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

This time, he tried to defend himself by arguing he thought his depiction was of a doctor healing someone, not Jesus.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

The man who left Scotland with just enough cash to place a wild bet on himself still appreciates the pay-offs from inhabiting this high-pressure world where his healing hands can provide a critical assist.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

I cast a healing spell for dramatic effect.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows