Date, dating

[Ju]

1. Date :

"social meeting planned before it happens, especially one between two people who have or might have a romantic relationship."

The above is one of the meaning of "date" I found in Cambridge online dictionary.

I am having a hard time to tell the meaning of a sentence whether it is talking about a social meeting or those with romantic relationship.

Could you give me some examples of the differences?

2. Dating :

Does it mean the same as "date" in noun form?

Thanks.

 

[probus]

"A date" means that two people have agreed to meet to further explore whether they are attracted to each other.

 

[jutfrank]

"social meeting planned before it happens, especially one between two people who have or might have a romantic relationship."

I am having a hard time to tell the meaning of a sentence whether it is talking about a social meeting or those with romantic relationship.

The word especially tells you that the meeting is not necessarily romantic. It might be and it might not be, but it often is.

 

[GoesStation]

In American English, date is rarely used except for the purpose Probus described in post #2.