Definition of begging Begging

/bɛˈgɪŋ/ - [beging] -

We found 6 definitions of begging from 6 different sources.

What does begging mean?

Noun
begging - a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)
		beggary, mendicancy
		solicitation the act of enticing a person to do something wrong (as an offer of sex in return for money)

= synonym
= antonym
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Begging means asking people for money, food, shelter or other things, when one is not able to give anything instead. It is also referred to as sponging, spanging (short for "spare-changing") or (in American English) panhandling.

In larger cities, it is common to see beggars who ask for money, food, or other items. Typically, beggars often beg for spare change equipped with coffee cups, mugs, small boxes, hats, or other items into which monies can be placed and sometimes display signs with messages such as "Help me. I'm homeless."

Use of funds obtained by begging.

A 2002 study of 54 panhandlers in Toronto reported that of a median monthly income of $638 CAD, those interviewed spent a median of $200 CAD on food and $192 CAD on alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs

"Income and spending patterns among panhandlers", by Rohit Bose and Stephen W. Hwang. The Fraser Institute, however, criticized this study citing problems with potential exclusion of lucrative forms of begging and the unreliability of reports from the panhandlers who were polled in the Bose/Hwang study.

Because of this, some people say that it would be better to give the beggars gift cards or food/service vouchers, instead of money. Some shelters also offer business cards with information on the shelter's location and services, which can be given in lieu of cash.

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begging in sign language