DictionaryAI

foundering

SayFOWN-duh-ring/ˈfaʊn.dəɹ.ɪŋ/

2 meanings of foundering

Practice

  1. 1
    verb
    Present participle and gerund of founder. Used for a ship filling with water and sinking, or a plan falling apart.

    The old fishing boat was foundering in the rough water near the rocks.

    We watched the ship foundering as wave after wave crashed over its deck.

    Note
  2. 2
    noununcountable
    The sinking of a ship when it fills with water and goes under.

    Like a cup slowly filling with water until it tips over and sinks.

    The foundering of the fishing boat happened during the night.

    Rescue teams arrived too late to stop the foundering of the ferry.

    Similarsinking, wreck

    Note

foundering is a form of founder

founder, verb: To fill with water and sink below the surface. Full entry

Forms
founderfounders he/she/itfoundering -ing formfoundered past tense, past participle
Spelling
founder → foundering: add -ing

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