Meaning of having in English having present participle of have (Definition of having from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press) Correct spelling, explanation: having is a derivative of the verb have. To create a present participle/gerund, one must add the regular suffix -ing to the end of this word – the general rule is to add -ing to the verb. This post will help you understand how to use 'having' in a sentence. Having is a present participle of have and can be used for different purposes. HAVING definition: to be in material possession of; own | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples When do you use “have” and when is “having” correct? In this easy-to-follow English grammar lesson, I’ll show you how to use both forms correctly and naturally. Have they got a new car? We've got things to do. Noun a society that discriminates between the haves and the have-nots. Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback. In general, we use “having” when we want to emphasize an ongoing state, a prior completed action, or an action treated as a concept rather than an event. Choosing “having” instead of “have” often depends on whether the speaker wants to highlight duration, cause, or experience. To possess or contain as a constituent part: a car that has air bags. 2. To occupy a particular relation to: had many disciples. 3. To possess knowledge of or facility in: has very little Spanish. 4. To hold in the mind; entertain: had doubts about their loyalty. 5. To use or exhibit in action: have compassion. 6. a. Noun having (countable and uncountable, plural havings) The act of possessing; ownership. The word having is the present participle form of the verb “have,” used to describe possessing, holding, or experiencing something. For example, you might say, “She is having a great time at the party,” which means she is experiencing enjoyment at the party.