victualling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "victualling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of supplying food and provisions, especially for ships or military operations. Example: "The crew was busy victualling the ship before their long voyage across the ocean."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

These included the great kitchen, privy kitchen, cellar, larder, pantry, buttery, ewery, saucery, chaundry, spicery, poultery and victualling house.

The Economist

Appointed, through Montagu's interest at court, clerk of the acts of the navy at a salary of £350 per annum and given an official residence in the navy office in Seething Lane, he became in the next few years a justice of the peace, a commissioner for and, later, treasurer of, Tangier, and surveyor of naval victualling.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because Sacco is so meticulous about details - he always gets the shape of the boots spot on, and the splat pattern of a mortar hit or the viscosity of blood pools - I accepted at once the reality in his imaginings of butchery on the bridge at Visegrad or death by exposure along the midwinter track up to the victualling point at Grebak.

The Guardian - Books

A Grade I-listed, early-19th-century naval victualling depot, with a harbour on the Tamar estuary, the yard's vast granite buildings were designed to cater for fleets of Georgian sailing ships.

The Guardian - Travel

I started at Royal William Yard, an iconic 1830s naval victualling depot now being redeveloped as an urban waterfront village.

The Guardian - Travel

"A very striking instance of violation of neutrality was the victualling of the fortress of Thionville, while still in French hands, by night trains from Luxemburg.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In the beginning these civil servants in a real sense servants of the crown were sent out from Berlin to deal with such purely military matters as recruiting, billeting, and victualing the troops, but in the course of time they extended their supervision to civil matters as well.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Victualing their ships at the Cape, they soon learned that, by sailing east for some 3,000 miles (5,000 km) before turning north, they would encounter favourable winds in setting a course toward the Spice Islands (now the Moluccas).

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was a few days after Passover, and the car had been victualed with a stack of matzos, an apple and a carton of kosher apple juice, which Lieberman now opened.

The New York Times - Magazine

This book is about the old sunny Soviet fairy tale, the notion that a planned economy would become, in Mr. Spufford's memorable phrase, "its own self-victualling tablecloth".

The New York Times - Books

Tip O'Neill, the speaker, was appalled to find that the only victuals available were coffee, juice and a roll.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about historical or nautical contexts, "victualling" can add a specific flavor and authenticity. However, consider using more common terms like "supplying" or "provisioning" in contemporary settings for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "victualling" in everyday situations where simpler words like "providing" or "stocking" would suffice. It can sound unnecessarily archaic or formal if not used appropriately.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "victualling" is that of a gerund or present participle, often functioning as a verb within a clause. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes the action of supplying food and provisions. This is evident in examples like "surveyor of naval "victualling""

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "victualling" refers to the act of providing food and provisions. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, although somewhat uncommon in modern usage. Its primary function is to describe the action of supplying food, especially in historical or nautical contexts. While it can add a specific flavor to writing, it's important to consider whether more common terms like "supplying" or "provisioning" would be more appropriate for contemporary audiences. The term appears more frequently in news media and encyclopedias, indicating a neutral formality level.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

victualing

Alternative spelling of "victualling", essentially the same meaning.

supplying with provisions

Focuses on the act of furnishing or providing necessary supplies, especially food and drink.

provisioning

A more concise and formal term for supplying with food and other necessities.

stocking up with supplies

Emphasizes the act of accumulating a stock of necessary items.

furnishing with food

Highlights the provision of food specifically.

equipping with rations

Implies a measured and controlled supply of food, often in a military context.

catering

Refers to providing food and drink, often for a specific event or group.

feeding

A basic term referring to the act of giving food.

providing sustenance

Highlights the act of giving what is needed to maintain life.

arming with nourishment

Emphasizes providing with essential food to give strength and vitality

FAQs

What does "victualling" mean?

"Victualling" refers to the act of supplying food and provisions, especially for a journey or military campaign. It's closely related to "provisioning".

How can I use "victualling" in a sentence?

Example: "The navy was responsible for "victualling" the ships before their long voyages." You could also say: "The navy was responsible for "supplying with provisions" the ships before their long voyages."

What's a synonym for "victualling"?

A good synonym for "victualling" is "provisioning", which also refers to the act of supplying with food and other necessities.

Is "victualling" a formal word?

Yes, "victualling" is generally considered a more formal and somewhat archaic term. In contemporary contexts, words like "supplying" or "providing" are often preferred.