1
: the manner of functioning or operating : operation
—usually used in plural
the inner workings of the government
2
: an excavation or group of excavations made in mining, quarrying, or tunneling
—usually used in plural
1
: engaged in work especially for wages or a salary
a working journalist
a working mother
2
: adequate to permit work to be done
a working majority
3
: assumed or adopted to permit or facilitate further work or activity
a working draft
4
: spent at work
working life
5
: being in use or operation
a working farm
Synonyms
Examples of working in a Sentence
Noun
an article about the byzantine workings of the auction business for high-end art
Adjective
There is a good working relationship between the departments.
the working parts of the machine
Recent Examples on the Web
Steve Osler, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
There’s also a front-facing speaker and a tiny working infrared remote control.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024
Diego Portillo, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2024
PwC’s research indicates that individuals worried about finances spend three or more working hours per week dealing with these issues.
—Diane Winiarski, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for working 
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Noun
In today’s rapidly changing work landscape, leaders must be adaptable and open to new working methods.
—Steve Osler, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
There’s also a front-facing speaker and a tiny working infrared remote control.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
With my role, having a working knowledge of the runway helps with researching and deciding the best visuals to use across print and digital.
—Diego Portillo, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2024
PwC’s research indicates that individuals worried about finances spend three or more working hours per week dealing with these issues.
—Diane Winiarski, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for working
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Dictionary Entries Near working
Cite this Entry
“Working.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/working. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
working
2 of 2 adjective1
a
: doing work especially for a living
working people
b
: being in an operating state
a working model
2
: good enough to allow work to be done
a working majority
a working arrangement
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