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 lunch

   working breakfast

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 Word Forms

• self-working adjective
• unworking 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

Without him, she would be entirely alone in a mining colony whose management is fine with working the population to death.

From Salon

The Unite trade union said drivers working for various operators under the publicly controlled Bee Network have rejected pay offers ranging between 3.5 and 6% following months of negotiations.

From BBC

In later years, she stepped back from using her royal HRH title and spent more time working to improve music education for young people.

From BBC

The challenges of government are nothing compared to the challenge of putting food on the table and getting a roof over our head when I brought up kids working as a home help.

From BBC

In her 20s, she became a full-time union official and eventually, after battles over working conditions and zero-hour contracts, rose to the most senior elected role in Unison in north-west England.

From BBC

Related Words

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