work

verb

\ ˈwərk

worked\ ˈwərkt

\ or wrought\ ˈrȯt

\; working

Definition of work

(Entry 1 of 3)

intransitive verb

1a : to perform work or fulfill duties regularly for wages or salary works in publishing

b : to perform or carry through a task requiring sustained effort or continuous repeated operations worked all day over a hot stove

c : to exert oneself physically or mentally especially in sustained effort for a purpose or under compulsion or necessity

2 : to function or operate according to plan or design hinges work better with oil

3 : to produce a desired effect or result : succeed a plan that will work

4 : to exert an influence or tendency

5a : to make way slowly and with difficulty : move or progress laboriously worked up to the presidency

b : to sail to windward

6a : to move slightly in relation to another part

b : to get into a specified condition by slow or imperceptible movements the knot worked loose

c : to be in agitation or restless motion

d : ferment sense 1

7 : to permit of being worked : react in a specified way to being worked this wood works easily

transitive verb

1 : to set or keep in motion, operation, or activity : cause to operate or produce a pump worked by hand work farmland

2 : to bring to pass : effect work miracles

3 : to solve (a problem) by reasoning or calculation —often used with out

4a : to cause to toil or labor worked their horses nearly to death

b : to make use of : exploit

c : to control or guide the operation of switches are worked from a central tower

5a : 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 game

b : 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

6 : to pay for or achieve with labor or service worked my way through college worked my way up in the company

7a : to prepare for use by stirring or kneading

b : to bring into a desired form by a gradual process of cutting, hammering, scraping, pressing, or stretching work cold steel

8a : to fashion or create a useful or desired product by expending labor or exertion on : forge, shape work flint into tools

b : to make or decorate with needlework especially : embroider

9a : to get (oneself or an object) into or out of a condition or position by gradual stages

b : contrive, arrange we can work it so that you can take your vacation

10a : excite, provoke worked myself into a rage

b : to practice trickery or cajolery on for some end worked the management for a free ticket

work on

1 : affect worked on my sympathies

2 : to strive to influence or persuade

work upon

: to have effect upon : operate on

work

noun

Definition of work (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something:

a : activity that a person engages in regularly to earn a livelihood people looking for work

b : a specific task, duty, function, or assignment often being a part or phase of some larger activity

c : sustained physical or mental effort to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or result

2 : one's place of employment didn't go to work today

3a : something produced or accomplished by effort, exertion, or exercise of skill this book is the work of many hands

b : something produced by the exercise of creative talent or expenditure of creative effort : artistic production an early work by a major writer

4a : something that results from a particular manner or method of working, operating, or devising careful police work clever camera work

b : something that results from the use or fashioning of a particular material porcelain work

5a works plural : structures in engineering (such as docks, bridges, or embankments) or mining (such as shafts or tunnels)

b : a fortified structure (such as a fort, earthen barricade, or trench)

6 works plural in form but singular or plural in construction : a place where industrial labor is carried on : plant, factory

7 works plural : the working or moving parts of a mechanism the works of a clock

8 works plural

a : everything possessed, available, or belonging the whole works, rod, reel, tackle box, went overboard ordered pizza with the works

b : subjection to drastic treatment : all possible abuse —usually used with get or give get the worksgave them the works

9a : 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

b : energy expended by natural phenomena

c : the result of such energy sand dunes are the work of sea and wind

10a : effective operation : effect, result wait for time to do its healing work

b : manner of working : workmanship, execution

11 works plural : performance of moral or religious acts salvation by works

12 : the material or piece of material that is operated upon at any stage in the process of manufacture

at work

1 : engaged in working : busy especially : engaged in one's regular occupation

2 : having effect : operating, functioning

in the works

: in process of preparation, development, or completion

in work

1 : in process of being done

2 of a horse : in training

out of work

: without regular employment : jobless

work

adjective

Definition of work (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : suitable or styled for wear while working work clothes

2 : used for work a work elephant

3 : involving or engaged in work a work gang work hours

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about work

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Choose the Right Synonym for work

Noun

work, labor, travail, toil, drudgery, grind mean activity involving effort or exertion. work may imply activity of body, of mind, of a machine, or of a natural force. too tired to do any work labor applies to physical or intellectual work involving great and often strenuous exertion. farmers demanding fair compensation for their labor travail is bookish for labor involving pain or suffering. years of travail were lost when the house burned toil implies prolonged and fatiguing labor. his lot would be years of back-breaking toil drudgery suggests dull and irksome labor. an editorial job with a good deal of drudgery grind implies labor exhausting to mind or body. the grind of the assembly line

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

Examples of work in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

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.

Adjective

What does your work schedule look like this week?

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

In December, an Associated Press-NORC poll found Democrats driving an increase in the share of Americans who name the environment and climate change as an important issue for the government to work on in 2019. — Kevin Freking, BostonGlobe.com, "President Trump raises eyebrows in promoting his environment record," 8 July 2019 With a background in manufacturing high tech parts for Formula One and the space industry, Energica was used to working on demanding projects, but this was an exceptionally hard slog. — Jonathan Hawkins, CNN, "Phoenix from the flames: MotoE takes to the circuit just months after fire," 8 July 2019 Freitas is working to help other states pass ban-the-box measures. — Casey Parks, USA Today, "'You don't know what you did for me': Released from prison by Obama, now on the dean's list," 8 July 2019 This electoral system has worked well for decades both around the world and in a growing number of American cities and towns. — Steve Mulroy, The New Republic, "To Beat the Gerrymander, Think Outside the Lines," 8 July 2019 More realistically, if immigration were limited to half of the expected level, 58 percent would be working age. — Steven Camarota, National Review, "Immigration Is No Fix for an Aging Society," 8 July 2019 In a broad sense, any algorithmic change that dampens user engagement could work against YouTube’s business model. — Neima Jahromi, The New Yorker, "The Fight for the Future of YouTube," 8 July 2019 Multiple aircraft, hand crews and fire engines are working to stop the fire from continuing to spread, according to state forestry officials. — Rocky Baier, azcentral, "500-acre Smokehouse Fire burns through brush near Wittmann," 8 July 2019 But, Sunderland said, she has been relocated from Dallas to work on a special assignment in the agency’s Salem headquarters. — oregonlive.com, "Oregon caseworkers accused of sex in presence of foster child: 1 has resigned, 1 no longer being paid," 6 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But spoiler alert — bring it back to the top — the character of Ariel is a work of fiction. — cleveland.com, "Why there’s no good reason to get upset over ‘The Little Mermaid’ casting," 9 July 2019 That sale effectively paid for Morata, which was some incredible work from Chelsea (even if the signing of Morata was a calamity in itself). — SI.com, "Chelsea Transfers: 6 of the Blues' Most Impressive Sales of All Time," 8 July 2019 The network then reminded its followers that The Little Mermaid is a work of fiction and not based on a real person. — Katherine Schaffstall, The Hollywood Reporter, "Freeform Defends Halle Bailey's "Inspired" Casting in 'The Little Mermaid'," 8 July 2019 To qualify for World Heritage status, sites must meet at least one of ten selection criteria, and securing the coveted designation can be hard work. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "Ancient City of Babylon Among New Unesco World Heritage Sites," 8 July 2019 At a news conference in May, Mueller said the team chose the words in the report carefully and that the work speaks for itself. — CBS News, "Barr says Democrats will make "public spectacle" of Mueller testimony," 8 July 2019 Yet there also is a recognition that there only is so much time for nostalgia when there also is work to be done. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, "Malik Allen not Juwan Howard 2.0, just back grinding for Heat," 5 July 2019 There's work to be done, but the payoff could be very good for Michigan. — Nick Baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan football's Karsen Barnhart is a unique OL prospect," 5 July 2019 Editor’s Note: This review of Harry V. Jaffa’s Storm Over the Constitution was originally published in the November 22, 1999, issue of National Review. Harry Jaffa’s latest book is the work of a man clearly in love with the American idea. — Mike Potemra, National Review, "Born on the Fourth of July," 4 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Much of the technology that makes the place work lives above the store’s shelves. — Matt Day, The Seattle Times, "Amazon Go cashierless convenience store opening to the public," 20 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'work.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for work

Verb

Middle English werken, worken, from Old English wyrcan; akin to Old English weorc

Noun

Middle English werk, work, from Old English werc, weorc; akin to Old High German werc work, Greek ergon, Avestan varəzem activity

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Dictionary Entries near work

work against (someone)

Statistics for work

Last Updated

11 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for work

The first known use of work was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for work

work

verb

English Language Learners Definition of work

(Entry 1 of 3)

: to have a job

: to do things as part of your job

: to do work in, on, or at (an area, event, etc.)

work

noun

English Language Learners Definition of work (Entry 2 of 3)

: a job or activity that you do regularly especially in order to earn money

: the place where you do your job

: the things that you do especially as part of your job

work

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of work (Entry 3 of 3)

: suitable to be worn while you are working

: used for work

: of or relating to a person's job

See the full definition for work in the English Language Learners Dictionary

work

noun

\ ˈwərk

Kids Definition of work

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 sense 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 : deed entry 1 sense 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

9 : the way someone performs labor : workmanship The job was spoiled by careless work.

10 works plural : everything possessed, available, or belonging She ordered a hamburger with the works.

work

verb

worked or wrought\ ˈrȯt \; working

Kids Definition of work (Entry 2 of 2)

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.