# hawking

/ˈhɔkɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈɔːkɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hawking
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the activity of selling things in the street by calling out to people. It can also mean the sport of hunting small animals using a trained hawk.

For teachers: the act of offering goods for sale in public places by shouting; alternatively, the practice of hunting with trained birds of prey.

## Examples

- The street was filled with the loud hawking of fruit sellers.
- Local laws often restrict the hawking of merchandise on busy sidewalks to prevent congestion and noise.
- While modern commerce has moved online, the traditional hawking of wares remains a vibrant part of the city's open-air markets, where vocal skill is as vital as product quality.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a gerund to describe the activity or trade itself.

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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.