borrowing

1 of 2

noun

bor·​row·​ing ˈbär-ə-wiŋ 

ˈbȯr-

: something borrowed

especially : a word or phrase adopted from one language into another

borrowing

2 of 2

present participle of borrow

Examples of borrowing in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

That borrowing spree, in turn, could present a risk to large Wall Street firms if clients are unable to pay them back. — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Higher interest rates definitely hurt the commercial real estate sector from 2022 through 2024, as higher costs for borrowing lowered the value of assets. — Diana Olick, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Yields across much of the G7 have surged in recent months as investors fret over stubbornly high inflation and unrelenting borrowing, with economists voicing particular worry over a potential European debt crisis. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

And many African governments prefer the Gulf model, in which investors tend to take equity in a project rather than saddling the borrowing state with debt. — Jared Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for borrowing

• sorrowing

Kids Definition

borrowing

noun

bor·​row·​ing ˈbär-ə-wiŋ 

ˈbȯr-

: something borrowed

especially : a word or phrase adopted from one language into another