workhorse

noun

work·​horse ˈwərk-ˌhȯrs How to pronounce workhorse (audio)
1
: a horse used chiefly for labor as distinguished from driving, riding, or racing
2
a(1)
: a person who performs most of the work of a group task
(2)
: a hardworking person
b
: something that is markedly useful, durable, or dependable

Examples of workhorse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Read on below: Sheet pans are kitchen workhorses with limitless possibilities The secret to 15-minute meals? Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Cabbage has been a global culinary workhorse for centuries. Kim Severson, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Rival Nvidia, which mints chips with TSMC, became the AI industry’s workhorse and has seen its business soar. Will Knight, WIRED, 21 Feb. 2024 But the strength came from Disney’s workhorses: the vaunted theme parks, cruise line and consumer products division, which generated a record profit of $9.1 billion in the quarter, thanks in part to improving economic conditions. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024 Her excitement was tempered as a workhorse freshman who did more than just play the game. Craig J. Clary, Baltimore Sun, 12 Feb. 2024 His favorite tapes came from when Pitino was a 34-year-old wonder at Providence and leading the Friars to the 1987 Final Four behind a workhorse guard named Billy Donovan. Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2024 The minimalist look makes for a discreet day-in, day-out workhorse. Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2024 Saucepans are true kitchen workhorses, ready to get to work for your morning oatmeal, instant noodles, steamed rice, even just heating up that jar of Rao’s. Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'workhorse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of workhorse was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near workhorse

Cite this Entry

“Workhorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workhorse. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

workhorse

noun
work·​horse ˈwərk-ˌhȯ(ə)rs How to pronounce workhorse (audio)
1
: a horse used for hard work (as on a farm)
2
a
: a person who does most of the work of a group task
b
: something that is useful, durable, or dependable

More from Merriam-Webster on workhorse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!