whipping

IPA/ˈwɪpɪŋ/
KK[wˈɪpɪŋ]IPA/ˈwɪpɪŋ/

whipping — noun

  • whippingsingular
  • whippingsplural

1. the act of striking a person's body many times with a leather whip or similar ob

1.nounB2
Definition

the act of striking a person's body many times with a leather whip or similar object, especially as an official punishment

Example

The captain ordered a public whipping for the sailor who had started the fight.

collocation: public whipping / receive a whipping

Whipping was once a common punishment for theft in many parts of the world.

uncountable use: whipping as a practice

Common collocations
  • public whipping
  • receive a whipping
  • a severe whipping
  • whipping post
Synonyms
  • flogging

    more formal term, often used in legal or historical writing about official punishment

  • lashing

    emphasises the use of a whip with multiple strikes; also used in naval contexts

  • caning

    specifically hitting with a wooden cane rather than a whip; common in some school and judicial systems

Grammar Patterns

a + whipping

uncountable: whipping as a practice

Usage Note

Often used in historical or legal contexts. When countable, it refers to a single instance of the punishment. The uncountable form describes the practice in general.

Common Mistakes

He got a whipping for his birthday.
He got a whipping for breaking the rules.
'whipping' is a punishment, not a neutral or positive event.

2. a small diagonal stitch that is sewn over the edge of a piece of cloth to stop t

2.nounC1
Definition

a small diagonal stitch that is sewn over the edge of a piece of cloth to stop the threads from coming apart

Example

Élise finished the napkin edge with a neat whipping stitch in matching thread.

collocation: whipping stitch + in matching thread

Harper fixed the frayed hem of her linen jacket with a neat whipping stitch.

collocation: fix + frayed hem/edge + with a whipping stitch

Common collocations
  • whipping stitch
  • a neat whipping stitch
  • work a whipping stitch
  • whipping in matching thread
Synonyms
  • overcast stitch

    a more general term for any stitch that goes over the edge to prevent fraying

  • overedge stitch

    common in machine sewing; produces a similar edge finish

  • binding stitch

    broader term; can refer to any stitch used to secure a fabric edge

Grammar Patterns

a whipping stitch

whipping + noun (attributive)

Usage Note

This is a specialised sewing term. Beginners often learn a simple overcast stitch first; the whipping stitch is a neater, more durable version typically done at a slanted angle. It is different from a blanket stitch, which has visible knots along the edge.

Common Mistakes

I used a whipping stitch to join two pieces of fabric together.
I used a whipping stitch to finish the raw edge of the fabric.
A whipping stitch is an edge-finishing stitch, not a seam stitch for joining pieces.