LUMBERING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does lumbering mean? 

• LUMBERING (noun)
  The noun LUMBERING has 1 sense:

1. the trade of cutting or preparing or selling timber

  Familiarity information: LUMBERING used as a noun is very rare.

• LUMBERING (adjective)
  The adjective LUMBERING has 1 sense:

1. slow and laborious because of weight

  Familiarity information: LUMBERING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LUMBERING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The trade of cutting or preparing or selling timber

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("lumbering" is a kind of...):

craft; trade (the skilled practice of a practical occupation)

• LUMBERING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Slow and laborious because of weight

Synonyms:

heavy; lumbering; ponderous

Context example:

a ponderous yawn

Similar:

heavy-footed ((of movement) lacking ease or lightness)

 Context examples 

The big barouche came lumbering over the sward in our direction until Sir Lothian Hume caught sight of us, when he shouted to his postillions to pull up.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

We looked with horror after the black carriage, lumbering upon its way.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I feel like a novice lumbering through a bog in a mist, jumping from one tussock to another in the mere blind effort to move on without knowing where I am going.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

"I'm going out to get some little matters for my girls. Can I do anything for you, young ladies?" asked Mrs. Moffat, lumbering in like an elephant in silk and lace.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The workers looked hungrily at him, and then jogged onwards upon their way in slow, lumbering Saxon style.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Mr. Peggotty, his face lighted up with uncommon satisfaction, and laughing with all his might, held his rough arms wide open, as if for little Em'ly to run into them; Ham, with a mixed expression in his face of admiration, exultation, and a lumbering sort of bashfulness that sat upon him very well, held little Em'ly by the hand, as if he were presenting her to Mr. Peggotty; little Em'ly herself, blushing and shy, but delighted with Mr. Peggotty's delight, as her joyous eyes expressed, was stopped by our entrance (for she saw us first) in the very act of springing from Ham to nestle in Mr. Peggotty's embrace.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It is true that these monstrous creatures which we had seen were lumbering, inoffensive brutes which were unlikely to hurt anyone, but in this world of wonders what other survivals might there not be—what fierce, active horrors ready to pounce upon us from their lair among the rocks or brushwood?

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Thank you, that sounds pleasant, began Mr. Brooke, looking cheerful again, but before he could finish his speech, Ned, mounted on the old horse, came lumbering up to display his equestrian skill before the young ladies, and there was no more quiet that day.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Fly, my lady, fly! he screeched, and whizzed past them like bolt from bow; while close behind came lumbering a huge black bear, with red tongue lolling from his mouth, and a broken chain jangling behind him.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)