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

As data centers grow in importance, so do these developments’ roles as economic catalysts, and fortunately, many regions have recognized the economic opportunity these capital-intensive construction projects present. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025

Similarly, most capital-intensive textile machinery has not been made in the United States for nearly two decades. —Kimberly Glas, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

Their energy supplies and huge sovereign wealth funds help underwrite America’s competitive edge over China in energy and capital-intensive industries of the future—AI, cloud computing, and the mining and processing of rare-earth minerals. —Firas Maksad, Time, 25 Sep. 2025

The platform model transforms what were once capital-intensive AI capabilities into pay-as-you-go services. —Sajal Singh, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 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