working

1 of 2

noun

work·​ing ˈwər-kiŋ 

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

working

2 of 2

adjective

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

Noun

• ins and outs
• mechanics
• ropes

Adjective

• active
• alive
• functional
• functioning
• going
• live
• living
• on
• operating
• operational
• operative
• running

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

Noun

Seasonal Fireplace Maintenance Checklist Ready to get your fireplace in working condition for chilly fall days and cozy winter evenings? —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024

Newsweek has contacted Stone, the FBI and Trump's legal team for comment via email outside of regular working hours. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Adjective

The House and Senate have three more working weeks in December. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2024

Across the board, the youngest working generation is shaping up to be the most unhappy at work. —Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing working

• co-working
• in (good) working order
• in (good) working order/condition
• non-working
• the working class
• the working classes
• wonder-working
• working asset
• working/business breakfast
• working/business lunch
• working capital
• working class
• working day
• working dog
• working fluid
• working girl
• working group
• working memory
• working papers
• working party
• working relationship
• working substance
• working week

Kids Definition

working

1 of 2 noun

work·​ing ˈwər-kiŋ 

: the manner of functioning or operating : operation

—usually used in plural

the inner workings of the motion picture industry

working

2 of 2 adjective

1

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