capital-intensive

adjective

cap·​i·​tal-in·​ten·​sive ˈka-pə-tᵊl- in-ˈten(t)-siv 

ˈkap-tᵊl-

: having a high capital cost per unit of output

especially : requiring greater expenditure in the form of capital than of labor

Examples of capital-intensive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While its megacap rivals are currently engaged in a relentless, capital-intensive arms race to outspend one another on infrastructure, Apple's relatively low capex stands out as a testament to its disciplined capital allocation. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026

That’s a highly capital-intensive approach that, judging by its tiny capital spending so far, is totally new. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026

Technologies like carbon capture or hydrogen remain years away from widespread adoption and are capital-intensive, said Mohammed Ali, its co-founder. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026

Aerospace and defense contracts paid for the capital-intensive installation of a manufacturing base. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for capital-intensive

• antihypertensive
• apprehensive
• coextensive
• comprehensive
• hypertensive
• hypotensive
• inexpensive
• inoffensive
• normotensive
• counteroffensive
• defensive
• expensive