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
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 29 Oct. 2025
Ellison assumed control of Paramount in August, and has spent the last few months familiarizing himself with Paramount’s workings, and figuring out where resources need to be shifted around.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 29 Oct. 2025
The Democrats have taken hostages — unpaid government employees and, in the case of food stamps, the non-working classes.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for working
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Noun
Ever since the two announced their engagement, and throughout the whole saga of their wedding, being working royals, stepping down as working royals, and then moving to the United States, people have been interested in them.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 29 Oct. 2025
Ellison assumed control of Paramount in August, and has spent the last few months familiarizing himself with Paramount’s workings, and figuring out where resources need to be shifted around.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Ever since the two announced their engagement, and throughout the whole saga of their wedding, being working royals, stepping down as working royals, and then moving to the United States, people have been interested in them.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 29 Oct. 2025
The Democrats have taken hostages — unpaid government employees and, in the case of food stamps, the non-working classes.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 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 2 Nov. 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
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