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 Words From

• non·borrow·ing adjective
• pre·borrow·ing noun
• un·borrow·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of borrowing¹

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

Example Sentences

It increases government borrowings and sends it into an interest repayment cycle, which only further increases spending in the future.

From Quartz

That forced them to buy other shares to repay their borrowings, a preview on a small scale of the trading action that would bring the company to prominence last month.

From Washington Post

When investors believe a business’s stock price is on a downward trajectory, they can bet on their belief by borrowing shares from other investors, with a promise to give the stock back in a certain time period, plus some interest.

From Quartz

Government borrowing is under renewed scrutiny as politicians consider their third mega-spending package to support the US economy, adding to more than $3 trillion already earmarked since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

From Quartz

With the Federal Reserve planning on keeping interest rates near zero for years, business borrowing costs will remain low and stocks will face little competition from bonds for investors’ cash.

From Washington Post

“He is borrowing my voice to tell you this story,” she told the crowd.

From The Daily Beast

The exhibit also includes examples of designers borrowing from fine art, as Yves Saint Laurent did with his Mondrian dress.

From The Daily Beast

Generally, the better the rating, the lower the borrowing cost for the issuer.

From The Daily Beast

Borrowing language from his father, Paul said he does not wear his religion “on my sleeve.”

From The Daily Beast

Ravitch has said the borrowing would have been temporary and would have come in exchange for a more transparent budget.

From The Daily Beast

That is, the Government was led into the policy of borrowing through the increase of monetary forms.

From Project Gutenberg

It was an error not to separate borrowing entirely from monetary issues.

From Project Gutenberg

Borrowing was his besetting sin, and he was always head over ears in debt.

From Project Gutenberg

But the much-tried lady was on the highroad toward trouble-borrowing and bound to reach her end.

From Project Gutenberg

"Mr. Baines would have no difficulty borrowing from five hundred thousand to three quarters of a million," said Noble.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• financing