borrowing

American  

[bor-oh-ing, bawr-] / ˈbɒr oʊ ɪŋ, ˈbɔr- /

noun

1. the act of one who borrows.

2. the process by which something, as a word or custom, is adopted or absorbed.

3. the result of such a process; something borrowed, as a foreign word or phrase or a custom.

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Other Word Forms

• nonborrowing
  adjective
• preborrowing
  noun
• unborrowing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of borrowing

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at borrow, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Borrowing rates on Aave surged into double digits as stranded lenders scrambled to borrow stablecoins against their locked collateral.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Borrowing is set to pick up again this year as governments build up their militaries and support households hit by the jump in energy prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Borrowing costs have also stayed high, making buying a house expensive for aspiring homeowners.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 15, 2026

Borrowing - the difference between public spending and tax income - was £11.7bn in November, whereas analysts had been expecting about £10bn.

From BBC • Dec. 19, 2025

Borrowing from a friend seemed like the simplest option, but I valued my handful of friends too much to risk losing them over money.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Related Words

• financing