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
Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
Using electrical heaters to simulate nuclear fuel, PRECURSOR will demonstrate the working of the 30 MW reactor at a reduced scale.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026
John Ramos, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Several amenities also are offered to residents, including a rooftop pool, sauna, co-working spaces and a resident lounge, along with hotel-level services such as valet parking and food and beverage delivery from Keepers Cocktail Lounge and June Gap Market and Cafe.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for working
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Noun
Edward Randolph is an expert on the workings of the CPUC, having served as deputy executive director of the commission’s Energy Division from 2011 to 2021.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
Using electrical heaters to simulate nuclear fuel, PRECURSOR will demonstrate the working of the 30 MW reactor at a reduced scale.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026
Adjective
The rules give non-working applicants three months of benefits before they are cut off.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Several amenities also are offered to residents, including a rooftop pool, sauna, co-working spaces and a resident lounge, along with hotel-level services such as valet parking and food and beverage delivery from Keepers Cocktail Lounge and June Gap Market and Cafe.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 29 May 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 3 Jun. 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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