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

The Treasury must now raise the cash to repay those IOUs the old-fashioned way — by collecting taxes, slashing spending on other programs, or borrowing from the public by issuing Treasury securities.

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

They have occurred when rates were pinned near zero and officials were relying on words rather than rate moves to influence borrowing conditions.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Effective government borrowing rates are going up around the world because of the crisis.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

It financed the deal by borrowing $11.25 million in 6% bonds from European investors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

“The others all belonged to this friend of mine. I was only borrowing them.”

From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart

Related Words

• financing