- the act or process of trying to win the favor or attention of a person or group:He seems to understand the importance of social issues for youth, judging by his recent courting of young people to bring them into Russian politics.
- the act of seeking or cultivating someone’s love or affection; wooing:Soon after landing the job, he stepped up his courting of the beautiful Dorothy, who was also being pursued by someone else.
- (of animals) the act or process of attempting to attract a mate by engaging in certain species-specific behaviors:The chilly air blowing through the cracks in the wall, and the audible courting of peeper frogs, made it hard to doze off.
- the act of behaving in such a manner as to cause or lead to a specified result:In a particularly nerve-wracking courting of disaster, he climbed the mountain alone in winter using a completely untried route.
- seeking or cultivating the love or affection of another person or of each other:Covered bridges were known as "kissing bridges," as courting couples were prone to stop and steal a kiss while hidden from view inside.
- (of animals) attempting to attract a mate:Courting petrels make a henlike clucking and thrust their heads back as far as they can.
