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

Bracing for a ‘wave of disputes’ Take-or-pay contracts have their origins in the energy sector, where long and capital-intensive production timelines justified a similar legal ultimatum. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

Coca-Cola owns a couple of capital-intensive businesses, including Fairlife, whose spending counts toward its own capex. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

Modular plants challenge ammonia megaprojects Traditional ammonia production has typically relied on large, capital-intensive plants. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Critics argue such arrangements force consumers to pay for surplus electricity, although Manga said such guarantees were necessary to secure financing for capital-intensive projects. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 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