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
Synonyms
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
Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Oct. 2024
Junior Alex Schaller has prior experience working the scoreboard and game clock during basketball and volleyball games, so the Lockport resident came into the class with some understanding of officiating although no experience working games.
—C. R. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 25 Oct. 2024
Diego Portillo, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2024
PwC’s research indicates that individuals worried about finances spend three or more working hours per week dealing with these issues.
—Diane Winiarski, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for working 
Noun
Magpie, in some ways, feels like an ode to working mothers — or mothers who had to give up their careers to raise their children.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Oct. 2024
Junior Alex Schaller has prior experience working the scoreboard and game clock during basketball and volleyball games, so the Lockport resident came into the class with some understanding of officiating although no experience working games.
—C. R. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 25 Oct. 2024
Adjective
With my role, having a working knowledge of the runway helps with researching and deciding the best visuals to use across print and digital.
—Diego Portillo, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2024
PwC’s research indicates that individuals worried about finances spend three or more working hours per week dealing with these issues.
—Diane Winiarski, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for working
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'working.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Working.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/working. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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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