borrowing

[bor-oh-ing, bawr-]

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.

Other Word Forms

• nonborrowing adjective
• preborrowing noun
• unborrowing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of borrowing¹

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

Example Sentences

The reaction of financial markets has been closely watched in the run-up and aftermath of the Budget giving the impact the tax and spending policies could have on UK borrowing costs.

Read more on BBC

The U.S. doesn’t yet have the trilemma created by conflicting demands on tax, spending and borrowing, thanks to global demand for dollars funneling money into Treasurys.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Wilson has raised more than $500 million over the past 18 months by borrowing against his Lululemon stock, according to regulatory filings.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Everyone knows that the Federal Reserve made borrowing more expensive when it raised interest rates to fight inflation.

Read more on Barron's

If consumer spending is concentrated on groceries, it would be a bad sign for the economy but lend weight to the chance the Fed cuts borrowing costs in December.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• financing