borrowing

noun

bor·​row·​ing ˈbär-ə-wiŋ 

ˈbȯr-

: something borrowed

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

Examples of borrowing in a Sentence

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

Although the Federal Reserve trimmed interest rates in 2024 and 2025, the cost of borrowing remains elevated as concerns over inflation grow, exacerbated by oil price spikes and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. —John W. Diamond, Fortune, 12 June 2026

Compared with a world in which these fiscal-policy changes did not take place, the annual borrowing costs on a typical auto loan are now up by about $120, and by about $770 on a typical small-business loan. —Martha Gimbel, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026

This can make budgeting easier than some other borrowing options. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 12 June 2026

That could potentially help bring inflation down, but higher borrowing costs generally make businesses more reluctant to hire. —ABC News, 11 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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