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
Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
The Witnesses were known for being good stewards of their real-estate empire, maintaining the buildings well and keeping things in good working order, even if the renovations were utilitarian rather than glamorous or luxurious.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 24 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Audrey Gelman, co-founder of Insta-famous women’s co-working space The Wing, has returned with a new venture.
—Amy Francombe, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for working
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Noun
In 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that prohibits cities and counties from creating their own heat exposure protections for outdoor workers—a move critics say limits local efforts to address extreme working conditions.
—Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
The Witnesses were known for being good stewards of their real-estate empire, maintaining the buildings well and keeping things in good working order, even if the renovations were utilitarian rather than glamorous or luxurious.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The situation has deepened the island’s energy and economic crises, leading to 10-hour blackouts, forcing a reduction in working hours, limiting transportation and leading to a drop in tourism — previously one of its main sources of income.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Audrey Gelman, co-founder of Insta-famous women’s co-working space The Wing, has returned with a new venture.
—Amy Francombe, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for working
Cite this Entry
“Working.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/working. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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
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