Lending: meaning, definitions and examples

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lending

[ˈlɛndɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

financial

The action of lending money; the act of granting a loan.

Synonyms

credit, financing, loaning.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lending	Used when referring to the act of giving something, usually money, to someone for a period of time with the expectation that it will be returned. The bank is known for its lending policies. Lending money to friends can sometimes strain the relationship.
loaning	Similar to lending, but usually refers to more casual or personal situations. He is loaning his friend some money to help with the rent. Loaning books to classmates can be tricky if they don't return them.
financing	Used when discussing the means of raising funds or providing resources for a business, project, or purchase. We secured financing for the construction of the new building. Car dealerships often offer financing options for buyers.
credit	Used to describe borrowed money or a financial arrangement where a buyer uses borrowed money to pay for goods or services but agrees to pay back the lender over time. She was approved for a line of credit to renovate her house. Credit cards offer convenience but can lead to debt if not managed properly.

Examples of usage

The bank offers lending services to small businesses.
Peer-to-peer lending platforms have gained popularity in recent years.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

library

The system or practice of lending books for a limited period of time.

Synonyms

book lending, circulation, loaning out.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lending	General term used when allowing someone to use something temporarily, usually with the expectation of it being returned. She is lending her car to a friend for the weekend. The library is lending books to members for two weeks.
loaning out	Used when someone is temporarily giving someone else something, with the expectation of getting it back. It often implies lending without much concern for formalities. The coach is loaning out some players to other teams for practice. He's always loaning out his tools to neighbors.
circulation	Often used in libraries to describe the movement and borrowing of books and other materials. It can also refer to the distribution of items more broadly. The library's circulation desk is where you go to check out books. Circulation of this magazine has increased dramatically over the past year.
book lending	Specifically refers to the practice of letting someone borrow a book, commonly used in the context of libraries or personal book collections. The library offers a book lending service for all registered users. I am starting a book lending club in my neighborhood.

Examples of usage

The library has strict rules regarding lending periods for popular books.
Renewing a lending period may incur a fine.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

financial

To grant a loan or credit.

Synonyms

advance, loan, provide credit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lending	Used in general contexts when money or items are temporarily given to someone with the expectation of return. The library is lending books to the students for free. My friend is lending me some money until payday.
loan	Typically used in financial contexts when referring to a sum of money borrowed that is expected to be paid back with interest. He took a loan from the bank to buy a car. Student loans are a common way to fund higher education.
provide credit	Commonly used in financial and commercial contexts where a line of credit is extended to an individual or business. The store provides credit to its loyal customers. Banks often provide credit to help small businesses grow.
advance	Commonly used when money is given ahead of time, often referred to as an 'advance payment' or 'cash advance'. The company provided an advance on his salary for the upcoming month. She asked for an advance to cover the travel expenses.

Examples of usage

The bank is willing to lend money to qualified applicants.
She decided to lend a helping hand to her friend in need.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Old English 'lendan', which means to allow to borrow.
Lending has roots in the Proto-Germanic word '*landijan', meaning to hand over or give.
In medieval times, lending began to expand as people started to charge interest on borrowed goods, leading to the concepts of credit and debt.

Finance

Banks primarily operate through lending, providing loans to individuals and businesses to stimulate economic growth.
Peer-to-peer lending has risen in popularity with the internet, allowing individuals to lend directly to each other without traditional banks.
In many countries, lending laws are established to protect borrowers from predatory practices and ensure fair terms.

Cultural Practices

In some cultures, sharing and lending resources within the community is seen as a sign of trust and friendship.
Lending traditions can include aspects like communal lending libraries, where people share books among neighbors.
Gift economies often rely on the concept of lending, where items are borrowed and returned within community networks.

Legal Aspects

Contracts are often formed in lending relationships to outline the terms, including repayment schedules and interest rates.
Usury laws exist in many places to prevent lenders from charging excessively high-interest rates.
The enforcement of lending contracts can vary significantly depending on jurisdictions and local regulations.

Technology

Financial technology companies are innovating the lending landscape with algorithms to assess creditworthiness quickly.
Blockchain technology is emerging in lending, providing secure and decentralised methods for agreements and repayments.
Online lending platforms increasingly offer streamlined processes, allowing for faster approvals and disbursements than traditional methods.

Translations

Translations of the word "lending" in other languages:

🇵🇹 empréstimo

🇮🇳 उधार देना

🇩🇪 Verleihen

🇮🇩 peminjaman

🇺🇦 позика

🇵🇱 pożyczanie

🇯🇵 貸出

🇫🇷 prêt

🇪🇸 préstamo

🇹🇷 ödünç verme

🇰🇷 대출

🇸🇦 إقراض

🇨🇿 půjčování

🇸🇰 požičiavanie

🇨🇳 借贷

🇸🇮 posojanje

🇮🇸 lánveiting

🇰🇿 қарыз беру

🇬🇪 სესხება

🇦🇿 borc vermək

🇲🇽 préstamo

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,918 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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5915 conversations
5916 obstruction
5917 warehouse
5918 lending
5919 complement
5920 harsh
5921 socially
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