workforce

noun

work·​force ˈwərk-ˌfȯrs 

1

: the workers engaged in a specific activity or enterprise

the factory's workforce

2

: the number of workers potentially assignable for any purpose

the nation's workforce

Synonyms of workforce

• staff
• manpower
• personnel
• pool

Examples of workforce in a Sentence

We have a workforce of 2,400 people.

the office's entire workforce is devoted to a single project right now

Recent Examples on the Web

Drachman and his partners filed suit in January 2025 after Hollywood rejected their plan to build a high-rise tower with 282 residents, including 114 workforce housing apartments that would be reserved for people earning from 80% to 120% of the county’s area median income. —Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026

Sometimes called Zoomers, Gen Z is the first group to join the workforce with an intimate knowledge of digital processes, including remote meetings and even artificial intelligence tools. —Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2026

This new infrastructure will be financed by shareholders and bondholders, taxed by local governments, and built by a skilled workforce — all real and necessary expenses. —Rory M. Christian, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026

Speed of decision-making, workforce adaptation, and strategic positioning now matter more than vendor selection or feature comparisons. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for workforce

• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce
• indorse
• midcourse
• outsource
• perforce
• racecourse
• racehorse
• remorse
• seahorse

Kids Definition

workforce

noun

work·​force ˈwərk-ˌfō(ə)rs 

-ˌfȯ(ə)rs

: the workers of a specific activity or business

the factory's workforce