What does "airing" mean?

1. (ventilation) the act of letting fresh air into a room or onto clothes to make them clean and dry. 2. (public discussion) the act of making your ideas or complaints known to other people. 3. (broadcasting) the act of showing a programme on television or playing it on the radio.

How do you use "airing"?

Often used with the verb 'give'. Commonly appears in the phrase 'an airing of views' or 'an airing of grievances'.

airing

US //ˈɛɹɪŋ// UK //ˈeəɹɪŋ// air·ing

1 ventilation (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act of letting fresh air into a room or onto clothes to make them clean and dry.

the exposure of a space or fabric to fresh air for the purpose of ventilation, freshening, or drying.

Example

The guest bedroom smells a bit dusty and needs a good airing before they arrive.

Example

After months in storage, the winter coats required a thorough airing in the garden to remove the lingering scent of mothballs.

Usage

Often used with the verb 'give'.
- ventilation
- freshening
2 public discussion (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the act of making your ideas or complaints known to other people.

the public expression or disclosure of opinions, grievances, or ideas for the purpose of debate.

Example

The meeting gave everyone a chance for an airing of their views on the new office rules.

Example

The conference provided a necessary airing of controversial theories that had previously been confined to private academic circles.

Usage

Commonly appears in the phrase 'an airing of views' or 'an airing of grievances'.
- suppression
- concealment

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3 broadcasting (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act of showing a programme on television or playing it on the radio.

the act of broadcasting a television or radio programme to an audience.

Example

The documentary is getting its first airing on national television tonight.

Example

Despite the film's critical success, it received only one late-night airing before being pulled from the schedule entirely.

Origin

From air (“substance constituting Earth’s atmosphere”, noun) and air (“to bring (something) into contact with the air; to let fresh air into (a place); to make public (an opinion, etc.); to broadcast (something)”, verb) + -ing (suffix forming nouns or noun-like terms from verbs, denoting acts of doing something, actions, or the embodiment of action; and forming the present participles of verbs).