working

[ wur-king ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that works.
2. operation; action:

   the involuted workings of his mind.

3. the process of shaping a material:

   The working of clay is easy when it's damp.

4. the act of manufacturing or building a thing.
5. Usually workings. a part of a mine, quarry, or the like, in which work is carried on.
6. the process of fermenting, as of yeasts.
7. a slow advance involving exertion.
8. disturbed or twisting motions:

   The working of his limbs revealed the disease.

9. repeated movement or strain tending to loosen a structural assembly or part.

adjective

1. that works.
2. doing some form of work or labor, especially manual, mechanical, or industrial work, as for a living:

   a working person.

3. operating; producing effects, results, etc.
4. pertaining to, connected with, or used in operating or working.
5. serving to permit or facilitate continued work:

   a working model; a working majority.

6. adequate for usual or customary needs:

   a working knowledge of Spanish.

   Synonyms: operative, practical, usable

7. large enough for working or being worked: worked:

   a working sample.

8. done, taken, etc., while conducting or discussing business:

   a working lunch.

9. Also (of a face or edge, as of a timber or a metal casting) shaped and planed as a reference for further shaping and planing.

working

/ ˈwɜːkɪŋ /

noun

1. the operation or mode of operation of something
2. the act or process of moulding something pliable
3. a convulsive or jerking motion, as from excitement
4. often plural a part of a mine or quarry that is being or has been worked
5. plural the whole system of excavations in a mine
6. a record of the steps by which the result of a calculation or the solution of a problem is obtained

   all working is to be submitted to the examiners

7. rare.
   slow advance against or as if against resistance

adjective

1. relating to or concerned with a person or thing that works

   a working man

2. concerned with, used in, or suitable for work

   working clothes

3. (of a meal or occasion) during which business discussions are carried on

   working breakfast

   working lunch

4. capable of being operated or used

   a working model

5. sufficiently large or accurate to be useful or to accomplish a desired end

   a working majority

   a working knowledge of German

6. (of a theory, etc) providing a basis, usually a temporary one, on which operations or procedures may be carried out

Other Words From

• self-working adjective
• un·working adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of working¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, working is from the Middle English word werking. See work, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

After organizing construction workers for fair working conditions in the wake of the 2016 election I founded Jolt, an organization to turn out young Latino voters in Texas.

From Salon

LFB said the latest report reflected how it had "changed ways of working" and was "transforming the culture across the organisation".

From BBC

Costa, working in a mode that owes something to the essay documentaries of Chris Marker, interweaves elements of her family history with the recent history of Brazil.

From New York Times

The Grey's Anatomy star says it was fantastic to film at home, working with crews that remember him from early in his career.

From BBC

Nor can we describe the extent of the damage, or whether the plant is still working.

From BBC

Related Words

• alive
• busy
• employed
• engaged
• functioning
• running