Gliding is a recreational activity and competitive air sport in which pilots fly unpowered aircraft known as gliders or sailplanes using naturally occurring currents of rising air in the atmosphere to remain airborne. The word "soaring" is also used for the sport. Gliding can be enjoyed by people of all ages, physical abilities, and backgrounds, and it can be as exciting and challenging as one wants it to be. Gliding involves flying unpowered aircraft and using the same naturally occurring currents of air that are used by birds.

In addition to its use in the context of flying, "gliding" can also refer to a smooth, continuous, and effortless movement, such as swans gliding over a lake. It can also refer to a musical or speech technique that produces a smooth transition between notes or sounds.

In anatomy, "gliding" refers to a type of joint movement where the surfaces of bones move over one another in a linear direction without significant rotary or angular movement. The most common example of gliding is moving ones hand from left to right in a waving motion. Gliding joint movements primarily take place in the carpals of the wrist and the tarsals of the foot.

In speech therapy, "gliding" is a phonological process where a child substitutes a "w" or "y" sound for "r" and "l" sounds.