financing

American  

[fi-nan-sing, fahy-nan-] / fɪˈnæn sɪŋ, ˈfaɪ næn- /

noun

1. the act of obtaining or furnishing money or capital for a purchase or enterprise.

2. the funds so obtained.

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Etymology

Origin of financing

First recorded in 1820–30; finance (verb) + -ing ¹

Explanation

Financing is the process of finding money for something you want. If you don't have enough money to buy the hot new video-game, you could try telling your parents that you need help financing your leisure activities. Notice the similarity between finance and finish? The root of both words is fin, which is Latin for "end," or "limit." Originally, financing meant ending a debt. If you owed money, you might ask a bank to finance you. Eventually people began asking banks for money even when they didn't owe anything. Now the word can be used to talk about getting money for almost any project, from a video-game purchase to a war.

Example Sentences

In addition, Fitch expects the government will secure adequate financing to cover debt obligations.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

During the quarter, Paramount lined up banks and other institutional investors to provide bridge financing to help pull off the transaction, the company said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

There’s already evidence that more people with low scores aren’t even bothering to try to get financing because they’re expecting to be rejected.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

Moving to diversify away from its southern neighbour, Ottawa has joined the EU's defence financing scheme -- the first non-European country to do so -- and sought to increase cooperation on trade.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

“Will you be wanting financing? Would you like to talk with our finance manager?”

From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech

Related Words

• expenditure
• funding
• loan
• outlay
• payment