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
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
3 a
: 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
4 a
: something that results from a particular manner or method of working, operating, or devising
b
: something that results from the use or fashioning of a particular material
5 a
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
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
9 a
: 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
10 a
: effective operation : effect, result - wait for time to do its healing work
11
works plural
: performance of moral or religious acts
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
—
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