What does "begging" mean?

1. (asking for money/food) the act of asking strangers for money or food in the street because you have none. 2. (earnest pleading) the act of asking for something very strongly or emotionally.

How do you use "begging"?

Often used as an uncountable noun to describe the social phenomenon.

begging

US //ˈbɛɡɪŋ// UK //bˈɛɡɪŋ// beg·ging

1 asking for money/food (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the act of asking strangers for money or food in the street because you have none.

the practice of soliciting money, food, or other charity from others, typically in public spaces.

Example

The city has seen an increase in begging outside the main train station.

Example

Local authorities implemented new social programmes aimed at reducing street begging by providing more accessible shelter and mental health support.

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun to describe the social phenomenon.
- soliciting
- panhandling
2 earnest pleading (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act of asking for something very strongly or emotionally.

the act of making an intense, humble, or emotional plea for a favour, mercy, or information.

Example

Despite her constant begging, her parents refused to let her go to the party.

Example

It took months of persistent begging before the archives finally granted the researcher access to the restricted historical documents.
- pleading
- entreaty
- imploring

Etymology 1

From Middle English begging, beggyng, beggynge, equivalent to beg + -ing (gerund ending).

Etymology 2

From Middle English beggin, beggyn, beggyng, (also beggand), present participle of beggen (“to beg”), equivalent to beg + -ing (participle ending).

Idioms1 entry

01
go begging
To be available but wasted, unused, or not actualized.