working

American  

[wur-king] / ˈwɜr kɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that works.

2. operation; action.

   the involuted workings of his mind.

3. the process of shaping a material.

   The working of clay is easy when it's damp.

4. the act of manufacturing or building a thing.

5. Usually workings. a part of a mine, quarry, or the like, in which work is carried on.

6. the process of fermenting, as of yeasts.

7. a slow advance involving exertion.

8. disturbed or twisting motions.

   The working of his limbs revealed the disease.

9. repeated movement or strain tending to loosen a structural assembly or part.

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adjective

1. that works.

2. doing some form of work or labor, especially manual, mechanical, or industrial work, as for a living.

   a working person.

3. operating; producing effects, results, etc.

4. pertaining to, connected with, or used in operating or working.

5. serving to permit or facilitate continued work.

   a working model; a working majority.

6. adequate for usual or customary needs.

   a working knowledge of Spanish.

   Synonyms:

   operative, practical, usable

7. large enough for working or being worked: worked.

   a working sample.

8. done, taken, etc., while conducting or discussing business.

   a working lunch.

9. Also (of a face or edge, as of a timber or a metal casting) shaped and planed as a reference for further shaping and planing.

working British  

/ ˈwɜːkɪŋ /

noun

1. the operation or mode of operation of something

2. the act or process of moulding something pliable

3. a convulsive or jerking motion, as from excitement

4. (often plural) a part of a mine or quarry that is being or has been worked

5. (plural) the whole system of excavations in a mine

6. a record of the steps by which the result of a calculation or the solution of a problem is obtained

   all working is to be submitted to the examiners

7. rare slow advance against or as if against resistance

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adjective

1. relating to or concerned with a person or thing that works

   a working man

2. concerned with, used in, or suitable for work

   working clothes

3. (of a meal or occasion) during which business discussions are carried on

   working lunch

   working breakfast

4. capable of being operated or used

   a working model

5. sufficiently large or accurate to be useful or to accomplish a desired end

   a working majority

   a working knowledge of German

6. (of a theory, etc) providing a basis, usually a temporary one, on which operations or procedures may be carried out

Other Word Forms

• self-working adjective
• unworking adjective

Etymology

Origin of working

First recorded in 1250–1300, working is from the Middle English word werking. See work, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

“Pretty much if you work for the city of Pasadena, you’re working either New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, whether you’re police, fire or public works,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Though not internationally recognised, Somaliland has a working political system, government institutions, a police force, and its own currency.

From BBC

Kluska had said then that it was a “potentially bullish signal” that patients who were on setrusumab were staying on the drug, suggesting it could be working.

From MarketWatch

Such restrictions will be hard for aid agencies working in countries not on the list.

From BBC

At the CIA, Gallina sought to improve the agency’s working relationship with Silicon Valley to spur investment in startups developing defense and national security technologies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• alive
• busy
• employed
• engaged
• functioning
• running