# Hastings

/ˈheɪstɪŋz/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hastings
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. town in England

noun · CEFR B2

a seaside town in East Sussex, England, famous for the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

For teachers: a coastal town and borough in East Sussex, England, historically significant as the namesake of the 1066 Norman conquest battle.

- We spent the weekend in Hastings and visited the ruins of the old castle.
- The Battle of Hastings is perhaps the most pivotal event in English history, marking the beginning of the Norman conquest under William the Conqueror.

### 2. a surname

noun · CEFR B2

a common English family name.

For teachers: a habitational surname of Old English origin, or occasionally a patronymic surname.

- Mr. Hastings was the manager of the local bank for thirty years.
- The Hastings family has held significant land in this county since the seventeenth century, according to the parish records.

### 3. early vegetables

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · British English

an old word for fruits or vegetables that grow early in the season, especially peas.

For teachers: early-ripening fruit or vegetables, particularly peas; typically used in the plural.

- The gardener was proud of his green hastings, which were ready to eat before June.
- In historical agricultural texts, 'hastings' refers specifically to those varieties of peas bred for early harvest to command a higher market price.

Usage: Usually appears in the plural form 'hastings'.

Teaching tip: This sense is extremely rare in modern English; learners will likely only encounter it in historical literature or specialized gardening history.

## Examples

- We spent the weekend walking along the beach in Hastings.
- Many tourists visit Hastings to see the ruins of the castle and learn about medieval history.
- The victory at Hastings allowed William the Conqueror to claim the English throne, fundamentally altering the linguistic and cultural landscape of the British Isles.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.