work

verb

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\ 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 crew work hours

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing work Learn More About work

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? See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The goal of QBRs is to look at what worked and what didn’t work as well as explore new ideas for campaign expansion or opportunities for innovation. — Todd Juneau, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Vertical farming doesn’t work for all types of crops, and is best for things that might go into a salad bowl, Nemali said. — Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Aug. 2022 People told him a furniture rental business wouldn’t work, but for more than 50 years Loudermilk proved naysayers wrong. — Christopher Quinn, ajc, 3 Aug. 2022 Glossy green lawns fed by sprinklers arcing water into the sky just don’t work anymore in these days of lingering drought. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2022 Environmental activists, who have urged federal officials to take a more active role to assist these regions for years, said the initiative was welcome news but would not work long term unless the White House remained engaged indefinitely. — Glenn Thrush, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Aug. 2022 Environmental activists, who have urged federal officials to take a more active role to assist these regions for years, said the initiative was welcome but would not work long-term unless the White House remained engaged indefinitely. — New York Times, 2 Aug. 2022 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, benzene is a highly flammable substance that can damage the immune system and cause cells to not work correctly. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 1 Aug. 2022 It's only offered in one length, which may not work for every outdoor space. — Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Aug. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Food trucks will be onsite and young entrepreneurs will have booths to showcase their work. — The Courier-Journal, 6 Aug. 2022 In addition to prints, customers can also purchase different items with her work printed on them, such as water glasses or wood art. — Madison Smalstig, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Aug. 2022 His work has been recognized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, American Illustration, Communication Arts and the Art Directors Club of New York. — New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 At the end of the year, their work was shown in a public exhibit and reviewed by a jury. — Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 5 Aug. 2022 His former supervisor in Kitsap County, Washington, heaped praise on Frisk for his work overseeing elections since 2015. — Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 5 Aug. 2022 As patron of a number of charitable organizations, Kate stays informed on key projects and initiatives and spotlights their work through her various engagements. — Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2022 Costello, who passed away earlier this year after a long battle with cancer, was nominated by AIR members for the award in recognition of his work supporting independent artists for over 30 years through labels Liberation and Bloodlines. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2022 His work has also appeared in Gawker, San Francisco magazine, and New York magazine's Grub Street. — Caleb Pershan, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Aug. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Sadly, lying flat, ghost quitting and anti-work trends show the discouragement and disconnection of young adults from the workplace and economy. — Jack Kelly, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 The right approach to non-work time can help prevent burnout, improve health and generally make life more livable. — Chris Woolston, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2022 Recent research on building high-performing teams revealed that top teams are more likely to invest time discussing non-work matters with their colleagues (25% more). — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 25 July 2022 Even if your schedule isn’t flexible, working from an RV puts you that much closer to a pre-work hike, midday ride, or evening paddle. — Outside Online, 18 July 2022 In Severance, the employees of a technology company undergo a brain procedure that separates their non-work memories from their working life. — Emma Dibdin, Town & Country, 7 July 2022 One employee said that, at a non-work barbecue, a cook pushed him so that his hands landed in a fire. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 July 2022 Leah had plans to paddle section nine of the French Broad River, fives miles of flat and Class III whitewater ending at a hot springs—her favorite post-work spot. — Patty Hodapp, Outside Online, 8 June 2022 As mopeds rumbled down nearby streets, neighbors set up speakers for post-work karaoke. — Michael Scott Moore, The New Yorker, 25 May 2022 See More

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.

First Known Use of work

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near work

wore

work

workable

Statistics for work

Last Updated

6 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Work.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/work. Accessed 14 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for work

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.