noun

camping

Staying outdoors in a tent or temporary shelter, usually for recreation.

The family enjoys camping in tents beside the quiet lake.

Etymology

Latin campus meant a field, supplying the open-ground image behind camp. Camping names staying in a temporary outdoor dwelling, extending the older encampment idea to recreation.

More examples

  • We packed a stove and sleeping bags for camping.
  • Heavy rain ended our camping trip early.
  • She prefers camping to staying in crowded hotels.

Forms

camping

Similar words

backpacking
Traveling with gear carried on the back, often involving camping but not identical to it.