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 Bank of Russia lowered borrowing costs to 14.5% from 15.5%, which are now down from a 2025 peak of 21%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

In a statement, the central bank said it might reduce borrowing costs further as demand and supply move into balance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Because you’re borrowing money against the equity in your house, you don’t have monthly loan payments.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

However, the figure was £1.4bn less than a year earlier, and the lowest March borrowing since 2022.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

“Your parents aren’t particularly generous with you, are they? But you’re so scrupulous about not borrowing money that it’s rather silly.”

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Related Words

• financing