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

However, the broad nature of some of these orders may fall short of establishing the stable regulatory environment necessary for the development of capital-intensive energy projects with long time horizons. —Skip York, The Conversation, 9 Dec. 2025

Lower valuations could be the result of this shift from capital-light to capital-intensive business models, according to Michael Bailey, director of research at Fulton Breakefield Broenniman. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025

Reversing that downward trend to reach even the minimum profitability mandated in the operational milestones can only happen if its unproven products prove wildly successful in highly competitive, and capital-intensive sectors. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2025

Dreams of reviving manufacturing jobs face the reality that modern manufacturing is capital-intensive and largely automated. —Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 25 Nov. 2025

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