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
Adjective
There is a good working relationship between the departments.
the working parts of the machine
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark Holgate, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2024
By contrast, the Netherlands had the shortest working week of 33.2 hours, followed by Germany at 35.3 hours.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for working 
Noun
His office and studio are at the back, out of the public gaze, though the opening hours will follow that of the working week: Monday will be appointment only, and Tuesday to Friday the space will be open to anyone who wants to just drop by.
—Mark Holgate, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2024
By contrast, the Netherlands had the shortest working week of 33.2 hours, followed by Germany at 35.3 hours.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 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 3 May. 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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