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

Tshabalala said if the analysis was applied to South Africa, the continent’s most advanced economy would go from a BB- rating to BBB, translating into savings of nearly $3 billion in borrowing costs annually. —Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 1 July 2025

Families Will Be Faced With Tough Choices With federal borrowing limits tightening for parents, and not increasing for students, families will be faced with tough choices. —Robert Farrington, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

And there is still internal strife over how to address the nation's borrowing limit. —Elena Moore, NPR, 28 June 2025

Lower interest rates make borrowing less expensive, which encourages companies and individuals to spend more and boost the economy. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 27 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1609, 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