What does walling mean?
Walling is chiefly a noun for the material used to construct walls, especially brick, stone, or masonry, and by extension for walls or wall-like structures collectively. It can also name the act or process of making a wall. In this sense it appears in technical contexts such as archaeology, construction, and the description of historic buildings. As a verb, walling is the present participle of wall: it means enclosing, protecting, or sealing off something with a wall, as in “walling up an entrance.” The noun is more specialized than the everyday word wall, so “stone walling” usually refers to stone used as wall construction, while “garden walling” can refer to the structure itself. The word has a practical, architectural tone but is not restricted to professional usage. Its history is more evocative than its modern appearance: it belongs to the family of wall, from Latin vallum, a rampart or earthwork. Thus walling suggests both the substance that divides spaces and the deliberate act of putting a barrier between them.
Material used to construct walls, especially brick or stone; walls collectively; or the act of making or enclosing something with a wall.
"Much of the abbey's original stone walling survives."
When referring to material or the process, walling is normally uncountable; the plural wallings is rare.
The present participle and gerund of wall, meaning to enclose, protect, or seal off with a wall.
"Workers spent the week walling off the dangerous section of the building."
Common in the construction contexts of walling up and walling off.
Rare and normally unnecessary; walling is usually uncountable when referring to material or the process, though the plural can distinguish separate walls or groups of walls.
"Several medieval wallings survive in the town."
Walling shares its ancient root with Wall Street: both begin with the idea of a barrier raised to define or defend a space.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does walling come from?
The word walling is formed from wall by means of the suffix -ing, with the form serving both as a noun and as the present participle of the verb wall. English wall comes from Old English w(e)all, borrowed from Latin vallum, meaning a rampart or earthwork; vallum in turn derives from vallus, a stake or palisade. The same Latin root underlies words such as vallation and intervallum, the source of interval.
Related word forms
How walling is actually used
The noun is common in construction, architecture, archaeology, and descriptions of historic buildings. It is generally less idiomatic than the simple word wall unless it emphasizes wall-making materials, a class of walls, or the process of wall construction.
Easily confused with walling
Walling involves making or using a wall, whereas wailing means crying loudly or mournfully.