working

1 of 2

noun

work·​ing ˈwər-kiŋ How to pronounce working (audio)
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

working

2 of 2

adjective

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Seasonal Fireplace Maintenance Checklist Ready to get your fireplace in working condition for chilly fall days and cozy winter evenings? Heather Bien, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024 Newsweek has contacted Stone, the FBI and Trump's legal team for comment via email outside of regular working hours. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The House and Senate have three more working weeks in December. Laura Kelly, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2024 Across the board, the youngest working generation is shaping up to be the most unhappy at work. Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for working 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of working was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near working

Cite this Entry

“Working.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/working. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

working

1 of 2 noun
work·​ing ˈwər-kiŋ How to pronounce working (audio)
: the manner of functioning or operating : operation
usually used in plural
the inner workings of the motion picture industry

working

2 of 2 adjective
1
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

More from Merriam-Webster on working

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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