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.
Trump has similarly emphasized the importance of interest rates to the economy, pressuring Warsh’s predecessor, Jerome Powell, to decrease borrowing rates despite persistent inflation. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026 LoUs were a trade-finance instrument unique to Indian business that served as a bank guarantee for overseas borrowing and were widely used by importers. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026 Higher borrowing costs are typically a headwind for bullion, which bears no interest. — Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 That holds down reported borrowing costs but leaves the government more exposed to inflation and rising rates. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 Aug. 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

Rhymes for borrowing

See All Rhymes for borrowing

Browse Nearby Words

borrower
borrowing
borrowing days
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Borrowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/borrowing. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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