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Definition of work
1 : activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something:a : sustained physical or mental effort to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or resultb : activity that a person engages in regularly to earn a livelihood people looking for workc : a specific task, duty, function, or assignment often being a part or phase of some larger activity
2a : energy expended by natural phenomenab : the result of such energy sand dunes are the work of sea and windc : the transference of energy that is produced by the motion of the point of application of a force and is measured by multiplying the force and the displacement of its point of application in the line of action
3a : something that results from a particular manner or method of working, operating, or devising careful police work clever camera workb : something that results from the use or fashioning of a particular material porcelain work
4a : a fortified structure (such as a fort, earthen barricade, or trench)b works plural : structures in engineering (such as docks, bridges, or embankments) or mining (such as shafts or tunnels)
5 works plural in form but singular or plural in construction : a place where industrial labor is carried on : plant, factory
6 : one's place of employment didn't go to work today
7 works plural : the working or moving parts of a mechanism the works of a clock
8a : something produced or accomplished by effort, exertion, or exercise of skill this book is the work of many handsb : something produced by the exercise of creative talent or expenditure of creative effort : artistic production an early work by a major writer
at work
in the works
in work
out of work
Explore Merriam-Webster
Examples of work in a Sentence
She is trying to find work in publishing.
How long have you been looking for work?
He started work as a car salesman.
I know him through work.
She didn't come to work today.
He left work a few minutes ago.
She's not here right now. She's at work.
She went out with her friends from work.
Can you describe your work to the class?
A large part of the work is responding to e-mails.
Origin and Etymology of work
Middle English werk, work, from Old English werc, weorc; akin to Old High German werc work, Greek ergon, Avestan varəzem activity
Synonym Discussion of work
work, employment, occupation, calling, pursuit, métier, business mean a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living. work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not. her work as a hospital volunteer employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer. your employment with this firm is hereby terminated occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training. his occupation as a trained auto mechanic calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession. the ministry seemed my true calling pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest. her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted. acting was my one and only métier business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs. the business of managing a hotel
work
Definition of work
1 : used for work a work elephant
2 : suitable or styled for wear while working work clothes
3 : involving or engaged in work a work gang work hours
Examples of work in a Sentence
What does your work schedule look like this week?
First Known Use of work
14th century
Other Business Terms
work
Definition of work
worked
play \ˈwərkt\ orwrought
play \ˈrȯt\;working
transitive verb
1 : to bring to pass : effect work miracles
2a : to fashion or create a useful or desired product by expending labor or exertion on : forge, shape work flint into toolsb : to make or decorate with needlework; especially : embroider
3a : to prepare for use by stirring or kneadingb : to bring into a desired form by a gradual process of cutting, hammering, scraping, pressing, or stretching work cold steel
4 : to set or keep in motion, operation, or activity : cause to operate or produce a pump worked by hand work farmland
5 : to solve (a problem) by reasoning or calculation —often used with out
6a : to cause to toil or labor worked their horses nearly to deathb : to make use of : exploitc : to control or guide the operation of switches are worked from a central tower
7a : to carry on an operation or perform a job through, at, in, or along the peddler worked the corner a sportscaster hired to work the gameb : to greet and talk with in a friendly way in order to ingratiate oneself or achieve a purpose politicians working the crowd worked the room
8 : to pay for or achieve with labor or service worked my way through college worked my way up in the company
work on
work upon
Examples of work in a Sentence
I started working when I was sixteen.
She works part-time at the restaurant.
She has always wanted to work in advertising.
She has to work two jobs to support her family.
She worked through lunch to get the report done.
I'm not working tomorrow—the boss gave me the day off.
He works about 60 hours a week.
The job requires that you work some nights and weekends.
She is used to working long hours.
She works the Northeast region of the state selling insurance.
Origin and Etymology of work
Middle English werken, worken, from Old English wyrcan; akin to Old English weorc
WORK Defined for English Language Learners
work
playDefinition of work for English Language Learners
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: a job or activity that you do regularly especially in order to earn money
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: the place where you do your job
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: the things that you do especially as part of your job
work
Definition of work for English Language Learners
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: suitable to be worn while you are working
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: used for work
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: of or relating to a person's job
work
Definition of work for English Language Learners
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: to have a job
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: to do things as part of your job
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: to do work in, on, or at (an area, event, etc.)
WORK Defined for Kids
Definition of work for Students
1 : the use of a person's physical or mental strength or ability in order to get something done or get some desired result Cleaning the playground was a lot of work.
2 : occupation 1, employment
3 : the place where someone works I left my coat at work.
4 : something that needs to be done or dealt with : task, job I have work to do.
5 : 1deed 1, achievement The principal will honor the club for its good works.
6 : something produced by effort or hard work an author's latest work a researcher's work
7 works plural : a place where industrial labor is done : plant, factory a locomotive works
8 works plural : the working or moving parts of a mechanical device the works of a watch
Definition of work for Students
worked
orwrought
\ˈrȯt\;working
1 : to do something that involves physical or mental effort especially for money or because of a need instead of for pleasure : labor or cause to labor
2 : to have a job I haven't worked in three years.
3 : to perform or act or to cause to act as planned : operate The plan worked well. How do you work this thing?
4 : to force to do something that involves physical or mental effort The coach really works the team.
5 : to move or cause to move slowly or with effort Work the liquid into a cloth. The screw worked loose.
6 : to cause to happen I can't work miracles.
8 : to make an effort especially for a long period She worked hard to make the dinner a success.
work out
Learn More about work
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See words that rhyme with work Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for work Spanish Central: Translation of work Nglish: Translation of work for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of work for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about work
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