EnglishMain Dictionary
working
Universal Words
adjective, noun
adjective [onlybeforenoun]
1 having a job for which you are paid
SYNEMPLOYED:
the working population * a working wife / mother
seealsoHARD-WORKING
2 having a job that involves hard physical work rather than office work, studying, etc:
a working man * a working men's club
3 connected with your job and the time you spend doing it:
long working hours * poor working conditions * I have a good working relationship with my boss. * She spent most of her working life as a teacher. * recent changes in working practices
4 a working breakfast or lunch is one at which you discuss business
5 used as a basis for work, discussion, etc. but likely to be changed or improved in the future:
a working hypothesis / theory * Have you decided on a working title for your thesis yet?
6 if you have a working knowledge of sth, you can use it at a basic level
7 the working parts of a machine are the parts that move in order to make it function
8 a working MAJORITY is a small MAJORITY that is enough to enable a government to win votes in parliament and make new laws
IDIOMS see ORDERn.
noun [usuallypl.]
1 ~ (of sth) the way in which a machine, a system, an organization, etc. works:
an introduction to the workings of Congress * the workings of the human mind * the machine's inner workings
2 the parts of a mine or QUARRY where coal, metal, stone, etc. is or has been dug from the ground:
A pump was used to remove water from the old workings.
