1 working | Definition of working

working

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

Definition of working

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

adjective

Definition of working (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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Examples of working in a Sentence

Adjective

There is a good working relationship between the departments. the working parts of the machine

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Your life and destiny are interwoven with the workings of the universe and nature. — Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, "Chase Center evaluated by Feng Shui expert," 6 Sep. 2019 McCarthy, a former top federal prosecutor in New York, knows the workings of the CIA and the Department of Justice. — John Kass, Twin Cities, "John Kass: ‘Ball of Collusion’ thoughtfully connects the dots on Clinton and Obama," 29 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'working.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of working

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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More Definitions for working

working

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of working

: having a job
: of or relating to a person's job
: suitable to be worn while working

working

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

Kids Definition of working

1 : doing work especially for a living working people
2 : relating to work working hours
3 : good enough to allow work or further work to be done a working agreement
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