1
a
: measurement of depth especially with a sounding line
b
: the depth so ascertained
c
soundings plural
: a place or part of a body of water where a hand sounding line will reach bottom
2
: measurement of atmospheric conditions at various heights
3
: a probe, test, or sampling of opinion or intention
Examples of sounding in a Sentence
Noun
The sailors were taking soundings as the ship approached the coast.
Recent Examples on the Web
James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
In early 2013, Mikaela Sanford responded to a Craigslist job posting for a small Sacramento company with mundane-sounding responsibilities: communicating with contractors, overseeing data entry and handling client correspondence.
—Melissa Korn, WSJ, 20 Aug. 2022
William Earl, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
Though the choice is ultimately David’s, his wife Pam becomes a critical sounding board.
—Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sounding
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Adjective
But upon the death of Ian Faith, Tap’s posh-sounding, cricket-bat-wielding manager, his daughter, Hope (Kerry Godliman), inherits from him a contract for one last Spinal Tap show.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
In early 2013, Mikaela Sanford responded to a Craigslist job posting for a small Sacramento company with mundane-sounding responsibilities: communicating with contractors, overseeing data entry and handling client correspondence.
—Melissa Korn, WSJ, 20 Aug. 2022
Noun
Through a mixture of internet sleuthing, preternatural good taste and a willingness to do whatever is necessary, Matthew quickly elevates his way to becoming a creative and emotional sounding board for Oliver — even as the singer’s entourage increasingly looks at him as a phony.
—William Earl, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
Though the choice is ultimately David’s, his wife Pam becomes a critical sounding board.
—Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sounding
Cite this Entry
“Sounding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sounding. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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