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.
For the first time, more independent garden centers reported no increase in working capital than those that did. — Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 5 May 2026 Apparel brands gain speed to market, home and lifestyle retailers improve working capital efficiency and specialty retailers reduce markdown exposure. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 7 May 2026 Examples include a working capital normalization disagreement, a Quality of Earnings adjustment to owner compensation or an earnout structure floor. — Ron Smith, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 The hospital is issuing the bonds through the California Public Finance Authority, and proceeds will fund working capital, refinance outstanding debt, and cover issuance costs. — Nic Querolo, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 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

See All Rhymes for working capital

Browse Nearby Words

working/business lunch
working capital
working card
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Working capital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/working%20capital. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Legal Definition

working capital

see also:
capital

More from Merriam-Webster on working capital

Nglish: Translation of working capital for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about working capital

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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