borrowing

1 of 2

noun

bor·​row·​ing ˈbär-ə-wiŋ 

ˈbȯr-

: something borrowed

especially : a word or phrase adopted from one language into another

borrowing

2 of 2

present participle of borrow

Examples of borrowing in a Sentence

Noun

He's compiling a list of Japanese borrowings in English.

Students must have their own pencils. Borrowing is not allowed.

Economists predict that there will be increases in government borrowing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Europe in particular appears vulnerable to increasing borrowing costs, with inflation in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain all exceeding analysts’ expectations. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

But even with borrowing costs high – and potentially headed higher – a sub-7% mortgage rate may still be within reach for some buyers. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Concerns about French fiscal policy have seen yields on the country’s government bonds, known as OATs, surge to multi-decade highs this year, giving France some of the highest borrowing costs in the G7 group of advanced economies. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

In response to rising prices, a key long-term Treasury rate hit its highest level in nearly two decades earlier this month, even before the Federal Reserve raised benchmark borrowing costs. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for borrowing

• sorrowing

Kids Definition

borrowing

noun

bor·​row·​ing ˈbär-ə-wiŋ 

ˈbȯr-

: something borrowed

especially : a word or phrase adopted from one language into another