1
: the manner of functioning or operating : operation
—usually used in plural
the inner workings of the government
2
: an excavation or group of excavations made in mining, quarrying, or tunneling
—usually used in plural
1
: engaged in work especially for wages or a salary
a working journalist
a working mother
2
: adequate to permit work to be done
a working majority
3
: assumed or adopted to permit or facilitate further work or activity
a working draft
4
: spent at work
working life
5
: being in use or operation
a working farm
Examples of working in a Sentence
Noun
an article about the byzantine workings of the auction business for high-end art
Adjective
There is a good working relationship between the departments.
the working parts of the machine
Recent Examples on the Web
Kirstie McDermott | This Column Was Created By Jobbio, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
The workings of an egg’s mitochondria, or energy-producing powerhouses, is especially key, as an egg requires a ton of fuel to turn into an embryo and ultimately develop into a human being.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 Apr. 2025
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
Newsweek contacted The White House for comment outside of standard working hours on Friday.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for working
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
In general however, jobs are trending away from offering remote working.
—Kirstie McDermott | This Column Was Created By Jobbio, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
The workings of an egg’s mitochondria, or energy-producing powerhouses, is especially key, as an egg requires a ton of fuel to turn into an embryo and ultimately develop into a human being.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Just 37% said most working age adults on Medicaid were employed.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
Newsweek contacted The White House for comment outside of standard working hours on Friday.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for working
Cite this Entry
“Working.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/working. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
working
2 of 2 adjective1
a
: doing work especially for a living
working people
b
: being in an operating state
a working model
2
: good enough to allow work to be done
a working majority
a working arrangement
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share