capital-intensive

American  

[kap-i-tl-in-ten-siv] / ˈkæp ɪ tl ɪnˈtɛn sɪv /

adjective

1. requiring or using a very large amount of capital relative to the need for or use of labor.

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capital-intensive Cultural  

1. A term describing industries that employ relatively few laborers but that use expensive equipment. (Compare labor-intensive.)

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Etymology

Origin of capital-intensive

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Capital-intensive investment, particularly in technology and artificial-intelligence-related equipment, boosts output without requiring large additions to payrolls.

From Barron's

The technology enjoyed few network effects, limited economies of scale because of power and infrastructure needs, and became “an extremely commoditized, capital-intensive industry where first-mover advantage is not particularly important,” says BCA.

From MarketWatch

He also completed the refranchising of bottling operations, shifting Coca-Cola from a capital-intensive bottler to a higher-margin brand owner.

From Barron's

What makes the ad business so powerful is its low operating costs, which can offset more capital-intensive segments such as AWS.

From MarketWatch

Borrowing costs have also risen, making capital-intensive offshore wind far more expensive.

From The Wall Street Journal