What does waging mean?
Waging means engaging in or carrying out a war, campaign, battle, or other sustained effort. It is the present participle of the verb wage and commonly appears in constructions such as waging war and waging a campaign. The word often implies an organized, determined, and potentially lengthy struggle, especially one between opposing forces or against a difficult social or political problem. Although it can refer literally to warfare, it is also used figuratively, as when describing a campaign against disease, pollution, or discrimination. The expression is especially common in formal reporting and political or military language. Compared with more neutral alternatives such as carrying on or conducting, waging gives the activity a more forceful and adversarial character. In “waging war,” the war is not merely being fought at a particular moment; it suggests an active campaign requiring sustained effort.
verbWaging is the present participle of wage, meaning to engage in or carry on a war, campaign, battle, or similar prolonged effort.
- To engage in or carry out a war, campaign, battle, or other sustained contest.
- To pursue or conduct a prolonged effort, often against an obstacle or opposing force.
"The neighbouring kingdoms continued waging war over the disputed border for nearly a decade."
"The government has been waging a long campaign to improve public health."
"She spent years waging a determined campaign against local pollution."
Waging now evokes conflict and determined campaigns, although its root also gave English the word for wages—the rewards people receive for their work.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does waging come from?
Waging was formed by adding the present-participle ending -ing to wage. Wage entered Middle English from Old French wage, which came from Medieval Latin wagium, although the ultimate origin of that Latin word is uncertain. Wager developed through Old French wagier from the same word, reflecting the older sense of giving or staking something as a pledge.
Related word forms
How waging is actually used
The word has a formal, forceful tone and is especially common in political, military, and journalistic contexts. It is generally used with sustained efforts such as wars, campaigns, battles, or struggles rather than routine activities.
Easily confused with waging
Waging means engaging in a war, campaign, or similar effort, whereas wading means walking through water.