working capital

noun

: capital actively turned over in or available for use in the course of business activity:
a
: the excess of current assets over current liabilities
b
: all capital of a business except that invested in capital assets

Examples of working capital in a Sentence

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.
This occurs with minimal working capital drag, since fulfillment runs through pre-established pharmacy networks rather than capital-intensive durable equipment logistics. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 This isn't just a cash-flow issue but a shift of working capital from small businesses to their customers. — Andreas Schweitzer, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The pandemic-era program offered low-interest loans to businesses suffering economic disruptions, with funds generally restricted to working capital and other eligible business expenses. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2026 Choosing the wrong provider can quietly drain working capital before a single chargeback ever hits. — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for working capital

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of working capital was in 1798

Rhymes for working capital

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Browse Nearby Words

working/business lunch
working capital
working card
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Cite this Entry

“Working capital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/working%20capital. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Legal Definition

working capital

see also:
capital

More from Merriam-Webster on working capital

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about working capital

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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