spelunking

noun

spe·​lunk·​ing spi-ˈləŋ-kiŋ How to pronounce spelunking (audio)
ˈspē-ˌləŋ-
: the hobby or practice of exploring caves

Examples of spelunking in a Sentence

Her hobbies include hiking, biking, and spelunking. They love to go spelunking.
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.
With temperate weather that allows for swimming, snorkeling, and forest spelunking, these getaways are also prime locations for napping to the gentle sound of waves by the beach. Skyli Alvarez, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 May 2026 In order to explore these caves, scientists will need to build advanced robots and plan missions carefully to optimize the best sites for extraterrestrial spelunking. Becky Ferreira, Wired News, 15 Apr. 2026 Saint Périer had spent the weekend spelunking in the archives of his mother’s family’s château, where his father’s family’s archives have been stored since their château passed into public hands, in 1978. Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025 One of the most unique rescues in spelunking occurred 25 years ago, after a teenager got stuck in an impassable canal in a Pennsylvania cave. Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spelunking

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spelunking was in 1944

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Cite this Entry

“Spelunking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spelunking. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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