Pronunciation: [sˈa͡ʊndɪŋ] (IPA) 
The spelling of "sounding" can be a bit tricky. The first syllable, "sound," is spelled with the "ou" vowel sound, which is pronounced like the "ow" in "cow." The "-ing" suffix is pronounced with a nasal "ng" sound, represented by the phonetic symbol /ŋ/. So, the IPA transcription for "sounding" is /ˈsaʊndɪŋ/. Despite the unusual spelling, this word is commonly used in contexts related to water depth or musical instruments.
Sounding is a term that can have multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used.
As a verb, sounding refers to the act of measuring or determining the depth of a body of water, typically in relation to navigation. This is often done using a sounding line, which is a rope or line with a weight attached to it. The sounding line is thrown overboard, and the depth of the water is determined by the amount of line that is let out before it touches the bottom. This technique is commonly employed by sailors and other maritime professionals.
In a different context, sounding can also refer to the act of making sounds or producing vocalizations. This can be done by individuals or animals and is often used for various purposes such as communication, expressing emotions, or creating music. Sounding as a form of music production involves creating resonating vibrations using musical instruments or the human voice.
Sounding may also be used as an adjective to describe something that gives off a sound or produces a particular type of sound. For example, a sounding alarm indicates the presence of danger or an emergency. It can refer to the act of testing a musical instrument or making a preliminary assessment of something by trying it out.
Overall, sounding encompasses the actions of measuring depth, making sounds, producing vibrations, or emitting specific noises, depending on the context in which it is used.
• The act of one who or that which sounds.
• Sonorous; making a noise.
• The act of throwing the lead to try the depth of water; the act of endeavouring to discover opinions or desires.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "sounding" has two main etymological sources:
1. From the Old English word "sund", meaning "swimming" or "going"; and the suffix "-ing", which denotes the present participle or gerund form of a verb. Therefore, "sounding" originally implied an action related to swimming or going.
2. From the Middle English word "sounen", which was derived from the Old French word "soner", meaning "to make a sound" or "to sound". The "-ing" suffix was added to form the present participle "sounding". Thus, it evolved to specifically refer to the action of producing or emitting sound.
Over time, the word "sounding" gained various additional meanings and uses, such as measuring the depth of waters, exploring or examining something, or testing the quality or condition of something.
