ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tasting

n. · v.
US //ˈteɪstɪŋ// UK //tˈeɪstɪŋ// tast·ing
  1. 1 an event (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    an event where you try several different types of food or drink, like wine or chocolate.

    a social or professional event organized for the sampling and evaluation of specific food or beverage varieties.

    Example

    We went to a wine tasting at a local vineyard last Saturday.

    Example

    The cheese tasting featured several rare varieties from small farms across the region, accompanied by detailed notes on their production methods.
  2. 2 a small sample (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a small amount of food or drink given to you so you can try it.

    a small portion of food or drink served for the purpose of sampling or quality assessment.

    Example

    The chef gave us a little tasting of the new soup before we ordered.

    Example

    The menu offered a five-course tasting, allowing guests to experience the full range of the kitchen's seasonal specialities in smaller portions.
  3. 3 the act of sensing flavour (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    the action of testing the flavour of something in your mouth.

    the present participle of 'taste', describing the act of perceiving or testing flavour.

    Example

    I am tasting the sauce to see if it needs more salt.

    Example

    After tasting the vintage, the sommelier noted a distinct hint of oak and dark berries that had developed during the aging process.
Etymology 1

From Middle English tastynge, taastyng, equivalent to taste + -ing (gerundive ending).

Etymology 2

From Middle English tastinge, taastynge, equivalent to taste + -ing (present participle ending).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026