the identification and observation of wild birds in their natural habitat as a recreation; bird-watching
Word origin
[1560–70 for earlier sense “hunting birds”; bird + -ing1]This word is first recorded in the period 1560–70. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: acute, bump, clinch, ritual, sympathy-ing is a suffix of nouns formed from verbs, expressing the action of the verb or itsresult, product, material, etc. (the art of building; a new building; cotton wadding). It is also used to form nouns from words other than verbs (offing; shirting). Verbal nouns ending in -ing are often used attributively (the printing trade) and in forming compounds (drinking song). In some compounds (sewing machine), the first element might reasonably be regarded as the participial adjective, -ing, the compound thus meaning “a machine that sews,” but it is commonly taken as a verbalnoun, the compound being explained as “a machine for sewing”
Examples of 'birding' in a sentence
birding
This event is for birding enthusiasts ages 13 and up.
Houston Chronicle (2007)
Learning birdsong transforms birdwatching, making it birdlistening, or just birding, if you prefer.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Birding is a sport that's never too late to learn.
Houston Chronicle (2000)
Some of the greatest pleasures in birding come through the ears.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Forty hotels and lodges depend on the park's legendary birding seasons.
Outlook India (2005)
Got to go birding, because the birds need me.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It's in the heart of the valley, where there's walking, cycling and birding.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
After the difficulties of birding in deep forest, these were gratifyingly co-operativecreatures.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It involves 24 hours of birding in a circle 17ft in diameter.