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

Derived Forms

• nonborrowing
  adjective
• unborrowing
  adjective
• preborrowing
  noun

Etymology

Origin of borrowing

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

Example Sentences

Before the war, investors had expected the ECB to leave borrowing costs unchanged this year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Improving their credit score is one of the few levers consumers have to lower their borrowing costs, especially as prices for cars and homes remain high.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026

That creates a divided economy: Consumers struggle with higher prices and borrowing costs, but AI-related investment supports markets, infrastructure spending and business optimism.

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2026

Banks were funding long-term mortgage exposure with short-term borrowing.

From Barron's • May 30, 2026

Nately gave them ninety dollars with a gallant flourish, after borrowing twenty dollars from Yossarian, thirty-five dollars from Dunbar and seventeen dollars from Hungry Joe.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Related Words

• financing