ˈfʌŋk(t)ʃənəl ˈɒpəɹətɪv ˈɹʌnɪŋ serving to permit or facilitate further work or activity discussed the working draft of a peace treaty they need working agreements with their neighbor states on interstate projects actively engaged in paid work the working population the ratio of working men to unemployed a working mother robots can be on the job day and night (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing in running (or working) order a functional set of brakes adopted as a temporary basis for further work a working draft a working hypothesis adequate for practical use; especially sufficient in strength or numbers to accomplish something the party has a working majority in the House a working knowledge of Spanish a mine or quarry that is being or has been worked