borrowing

noun

bor·​row·​ing ˈbär-ə-wiŋ How to pronounce borrowing (audio)
ˈbȯr-
Synonyms of borrowingnext
: something borrowed
especially : a word or phrase adopted from one language into another

Examples of borrowing in a Sentence

He's compiling a list of Japanese borrowings in English. Students must have their own pencils. Borrowing is not allowed. Economists predict that there will be increases in government borrowing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Fed seeks to restrain rising prices by keeping interest rates high, cooling borrowing and spending. Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 Elena Safonova/Getty Images High borrowing costs over the last few years, coupled with other economic hurdles, like high (and now rising) inflation and a tough job market, have left many borrowers with balances that are harder and more expensive to manage. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026 Its rapid downfall was the most prominent case of failure in China’s property sector, which was embroiled in a liquidity crisis after authorities cracked down on excessive borrowing in the industry as many other developers had also defaulted or underwent restructuring. ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 The International Monetary Fund warns that the new initiatives still amount to public borrowing, and domestic opponents say there is a risk future generations will be saddled with debt for projects that may not pay off. Peter Martin, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for borrowing

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of borrowing was circa 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Borrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/borrowing. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

borrowing

noun
bor·​row·​ing ˈbär-ə-wiŋ How to pronounce borrowing (audio)
ˈbȯr-
: something borrowed
especially : a word or phrase adopted from one language into another
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