DictionaryAI

teaching

TEE-ching/ˈtiːt͡ʃɪŋ/

Noun pluralteachings (some meanings)

3 meanings of teaching

Practice

  1. 1
    giving lessonsverb
    Present participle and gerund of teach. Use it after be ("was teaching") or like a noun ("I love teaching").

    She is teaching her son how to swim this summer.

    Thanks for teaching me that card game last night.

    Note
  2. 2
    noununcountable
    The job of helping people learn, or the work a teacher does to help students learn.

    Like coaching a sports team, but the lessons are about school subjects.

    Teaching is a rewarding career that takes a lot of patience.

    After college she went into teaching at a small village school.

    UsageUsually no a: she went into teaching. Also a teaching job.

    Similartutelage

  3. 3
    doctrinenouncountable
    An idea, rule, or belief taught by a religious leader or a great thinker.

    Like a rule your grandparents pass down, but coming from a religious or wise leader.

    A key teaching of the religion is to treat others with kindness.

    The monk passed on an old teaching about living a simple life.

    UsageUsually the teachings of someone, like the teachings of Buddha.

    Similardoctrine, precept, tenet, principle

teaching is a form of teach

teach, verb: To give lessons or show someone how to do something, often as a job. Full entry

Forms
teachteaches he/she/itteaching -ing formtaught past tense, past participle
Spelling
teach → teaching: add -ing

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of teaching apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 2–3

From Old English tǣċing, meaning "instruction" or "teaching." It comes from "teach" plus "-ing."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Meaning 1

From Old English tǣċende, the present participle of "teach." It goes back to a Proto-Germanic word meaning "to show or point out."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

  • Teaching derives from Old English tǣċende. en.wiktionary.org
  • Old English tǣċende is the present participle of the verb meaning “teach.” en.wiktionary.org
  • The word ultimately derives from a Proto-Germanic verb meaning “to show or point out.” en.wiktionary.org