housework

noun

house·​work ˈhau̇s-ˌwərk How to pronounce housework (audio)
: the work of housekeeping

Examples of housework in a Sentence

I got up early and did some housework.
Recent Examples on the Web That means the responsibility of housework, child care and caretaking falls heavily on Korean women through their elderly years. Michelle Lee, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 In a revealing study by the Pew Research Center, even women who are the breadwinners engage in more unpaid labor like housework and childcare. Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 This can include finances, schedules, housework — whatever needs to be addressed. Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2024 Here are a few suggestions, practical and emotional, for making housework less overwhelming. Annie Midori Atherton, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2024 Share the burden Women, on average, spend more time on housework than men. Annie Midori Atherton, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2024 Meanwhile, women remain more likely than men to shoulder child care and housework responsibilities and also provide the lion’s share of unpaid elder care. Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2024 Making housework less overwhelming begins with distributing labor fairly. Annie Midori Atherton, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2024 Finances have long been a stressor for couples, from sharing a bank account to negotiating housework around who is the primary breadwinner to just spending in general. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 13 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'housework.' 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

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of housework was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near housework

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

housework

noun
house·​work ˈhau̇-ˌswərk How to pronounce housework (audio)
: the work of housekeeping

More from Merriam-Webster on housework

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!