sounding \sound"ing\, n.
   1. the act of one who, or that which, sounds in any of the
      senses of the several verbs.
      1913 webster

   2. naut. from sound to fathom.
      a measurement by sounding; also, the depth so
          ascertained.
      b any place or part of the ocean, or other water, where
          a sounding line will reach the bottom; -- usually in
          the plural.
      c the sand, shells, or the like, that are brought up by
          the sounding lead when it has touched bottom.
          1913 webster

   sounding lead, the plummet at the end of a sounding line.
      

   sounding line, a line having a plummet at the end, used in
      making soundings.

   sounding post mus., a small post in a violin,
      violoncello, or similar instrument, set under the bridge
      as a support, for propagating the sounds to the body of
      the instrument; -- called also sound post.

   sounding rod naut., a rod used to ascertain the depth of
      water in a ship's hold.

   in soundings, within the eighty-fathom line. --ham. nav.
      encyc.
      1913 webster
see also:
sound sounding lead sounding line sounding post sound post sounding rod 
in soundings