hunting

1 of 2

noun

hunt·​ing ˈhən-tiŋ How to pronounce hunting (audio)
Synonyms of huntingnext
1
: the act of one that hunts
specifically : the pursuit of game
2
: the process of hunting
3
a
: a periodic variation in speed of a synchronous electrical machine
b
: a self-induced and undesirable oscillation of a variable above and below the desired value in an automatic control system
c
: a continuous attempt by an automatically controlled system to find a desired equilibrium condition

hunting

2 of 2

present participle of hunt entry 1

Examples of hunting in a Sentence

Noun His hobbies include hunting and fishing. The law prohibits the hunting of migratory birds. She likes to go hunting.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Liu Yang / Getty Images file Once widespread across New Zealand, kakapo numbers plummeted after human arrival due to hunting, predators and habitat loss. — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026 The dogs assisted with tasks including herding, hunting and pulling sleds. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Yet rule by spy hunting and paranoia has also come with significant costs. — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 Walruses were once hunted in vast numbers, for their blubber, hides and ivory, driving them close to extinction in Svalbard’s waters, before hunting was banned in 1952. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hunting

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hunting was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing hunting

Rhymes for hunting

See All Rhymes for hunting

Browse Nearby Words

hunth
hunting
hunting boot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hunting. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hunting

noun
hunt·​ing
: the action of one that hunts
especially : the chasing of game

More from Merriam-Webster on hunting

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hunting

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hunting

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