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
Maddie Garfinkle, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
To survive, humans need sodium for nerve conduction, fluid balance and working muscles.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026
His daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, have never paid a penny in rent for their grace and favour homes in London, despite being non-working royals; King Charles foots the bill using his private wealth, but at a discount on the market rent of about 40%.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for working
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Noun
In response to the disparities on the field, NFL cheerleaders have filed lawsuits advocating for fair pay and better working conditions — several of which have been settled privately, according to The Guardian.
—Maddie Garfinkle, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
To survive, humans need sodium for nerve conduction, fluid balance and working muscles.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
Adjective
Work from a co-working space a few days a week.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026
His daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, have never paid a penny in rent for their grace and favour homes in London, despite being non-working royals; King Charles foots the bill using his private wealth, but at a discount on the market rent of about 40%.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 14 June 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 20 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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