# hunting

/ˈhəntɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈʌntɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hunting
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. chasing animals

noun · CEFR A2

the act of finding and killing wild animals for food or as a hobby.

For teachers: the pursuit and killing of wild animals for sustenance, commercial profit, or recreation.

- In some cultures, hunting is still a necessary way to provide food for the family.
- The government introduced stricter regulations on deer hunting to ensure the local population remained at a sustainable level throughout the winter.

### 2. searching for something

noun · CEFR B1

the act of looking for something you need, like a new job or a place to live.

For teachers: the systematic process of searching for a specific object, person, or opportunity.

- After months of job hunting, she finally received an offer from a great company.
- House hunting in a competitive market requires patience and the ability to make a decision the moment a property becomes available.

### 3. unstable movement

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a situation where a machine or system keeps moving back and forth because it cannot find the right balance.

For teachers: an undesirable oscillation or fluctuation in a control system that fails to reach a steady state.

- The engine was hunting, with the speed going up and down instead of staying steady.
- The technician noticed the thermostat was hunting, causing the heating system to cycle on and off rapidly without reaching the target temperature.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the general phenomenon in engineering.

## Examples

- The local community relies on hunting for food during the winter.
- After months of apartment hunting in the city, they finally found a place that fit their budget.
- While traditional hunting remains a cultural cornerstone in many rural areas, modern conservation efforts often seek to balance these practices with the protection of endangered species.

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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.