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
Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
As a common world fades from view, many in the old establishment with previously lofty commitments to truth, fairness, and justice are tempted to reestablish control of a system whose new workings violate ethical taboos.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2026
Bring your vehicle, proof of insurance, and registration to file the report within 10 working days.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for working
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Noun
My grandfathers had both been miners whose early deaths owed much to their working lives.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
As a common world fades from view, many in the old establishment with previously lofty commitments to truth, fairness, and justice are tempted to reestablish control of a system whose new workings violate ethical taboos.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Long daily blackouts caused by Russia’s bombardment of power plants and transmission lines have made working elevators a luxury.
—Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2026
Bring your vehicle, proof of insurance, and registration to file the report within 10 working days.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 25 Jan. 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 30 Jan. 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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