facing

1 of 2

noun

fac·​ing ˈfā-siŋ How to pronounce facing (audio)
1
a
: a lining at the edge especially of a garment
b
facings plural : the collar, cuffs, and trimmings of a uniform coat
2
: an ornamental or protective layer
3
: material for facing

facing

2 of 2

adjective

1
: located directly across from something : opposite
an illustration on the facing page
2
: having the front oriented toward a specified direction or location
usually used in combination
the east-facing windows
To maintain themselves above water, the islands must conserve their limited sand supply by moving sand to their lagoon-facing side as their seaward side is eroded by waves.Wade Graham

Examples of facing in a Sentence

Noun a house with brick facing a suit with red facings at the collar and the cuffs
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The ribbon video board above the east stand was also enlarged, and a video screen was added to the facing of the members’ club on the east side of The Cauldron. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 29 Feb. 2024 Those dollars – about $3.25 million of them from donors, via the Cincinnati Parks Foundation – will cover the cost of planters, bench seating, pergolas, granite facings and a donor wall at the center of an earlier dispute. The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024 Related coverage California With Krekorian facing term limits, Valley candidates begin jockeying to replace him Aug. 5, 2023 L.A. Times Editorial Board Endorsements The Times’ editorial board operates independently of the newsroom — reporters covering these races have no say in the endorsements. Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2024 Cut facings from ½ yard of lime green burlap: 2 strips 4½ x 33½ inches; one strip each, all 4 ½ inches wide by 28½, 23½, 18½, 13½, and 8½ inches long. Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2023 Their world is so insular — so public facing and yet so cut off from external events — that the surtitles on David Zinn’s handsome studio set, delineating time (1976) and place (Sausalito, Calif.) feel oddly too specific. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023 Though chaises can be stationary—either right- or left-arm facing—there are many models where the chaise is reversible and can be on either side of the sectional. Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2023 This system includes a large format point of sale, business facing, 12.5″ HD touchscreen; a 4.3″ customer facing display; a receipt printer and a barcode scanner. The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Aug. 2023 The movement evolves methodically with variation: unison movement on different facings, or stepping in unison with the upper bodies forming individual shapes. Catherine Tharin, BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'facing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from gerund of face entry 2

Adjective

from present participle of face entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of facing was in 1566

Dictionary Entries Near facing

Cite this Entry

“Facing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/facing. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

facing

noun
fac·​ing ˈfā-siŋ How to pronounce facing (audio)
1
: a lining at the edge especially of a garment
2
: an ornamental or protective layer
a house with brick facing
3
: material for facing

Medical Definition

facing

noun
fac·​ing ˈfā-siŋ How to pronounce facing (audio)
: a front of porcelain or plastic used in dental crowns and bridgework to face the metal replacement and simulate the natural tooth
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!