Fishing is the activity of catching fish, usually from lakes, rivers, or oceans. People fish using rods, nets, traps, or even their bare hands. A fisher might cast a line with bait or a lure into the water, wait patiently for a fish to bite, then reel it in.

Fishing has fed humanity for thousands of years and remains one of the world's most important food sources. Commercial fishing boats catch millions of tons of fish each year to sell in markets and restaurants. Many families also fish for sport or recreation, enjoying the quiet patience it requires and the thrill when something tugs on the line.

The word also means searching for something, often in an indirect way. When you go fishing through your backpack for a lost pencil, you're rummaging around trying to find it. If someone asks leading questions to get information without being direct, they're fishing for answers. A fishing expedition means searching without knowing exactly what you'll find, like digging through old boxes in the attic hoping to discover something interesting.