mooring

[ moor-ing ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that moors. moor.
2. Usually moorings. the means by which a ship, boat, or aircraft is moored. moor.
3. moorings, a place where a ship, boat, or aircraft may be moored. moor.
4. Usually moorings. one's stability or security:

   After the death of his wife he lost his moorings.

mooring

/ ˈmʊərɪŋ; ˈmɔː- /

noun

1. a place for mooring a vessel
2. a permanent anchor, dropped in the water and equipped with a floating buoy, to which vessels can moor

Word History and Origins

Origin of mooring¹

1375–1425; late Middle English; compare Middle Dutch moor; moor ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Yacht moorings: During renovations, he spent time on one of his yachts anchored in the Potomac River and another penthouse apartment.

From New York Times

The mooring lines tethered to the ocean floor are made of rope nearly thick as a telephone pole and under heavy tension.

From Seattle Times

Rain had filled the gully and a heavy flow of muddy water loosened his board from its gravel mooring.

From Literature

Analysis of mooring observations and hydrographic data suggest the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation deep water limb in the North Atlantic has weakened.

From Science Daily

The man commandeered the fireboat, known as the John J. Harvey, by untying it from its mooring at Pier 66 off the west side of Manhattan, according to authorities.

From Seattle Times