work
verb
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\
or wrought\ˈrȯt
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working
Definition of work
(Entry 1 of 3)
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
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
1 : affect worked on my sympathies
2 : to strive to influence or persuade
: to have effect upon : operate on
work
nounDefinition 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
1 : engaged in working : busy especially : engaged in one's regular occupation
2 : having effect : operating, functioning
: in process of preparation, development, or completion
1 : in process of being done
2 of a horse : in training
: without regular employment : jobless
work
adjectiveDefinition 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
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Synonyms for work
Synonyms: Verb
beget, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause, create, do, draw on, effect, effectuate, engender, generate, induce, invoke, make, occasion, produce, prompt, result (in), spawn, translate (into), yield
Synonyms: Noun
effort, elbow grease, exertion, expenditure, labor, pains, sweat, trouble, while
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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
This means that having working CO detectors in your home is paramount. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Emergency Responders Share 9 of the Biggest Death Traps in Your Home," 14 July 2018 In her new role, Weichel will lead digital strategy for Anonymous, working closely with managers and producers to help develop relationships and opportunities for clients with digital and technology platforms. — Natalie Jarvey, The Hollywood Reporter, "Anonymous Content Taps Sarah Weichel to Lead Emerging Platforms Division (Exclusive)," 13 July 2018 Over the past two decades Casanova, often working with Laurent Abel of Necker Hospital for Sick Children in Paris, and a few other laboratories have identified dozens of single-gene mutations causing this kind of vulnerability. — Claudia Wallis, Scientific American, "Extreme Flu? Weird Encephalitis? It May Be Your Genes," 13 July 2018 The volunteer spotters work with the same camper each day and can end up running more than three miles during a daily training station. — The Aegis, "Harford concludes another successful iCan Bike Camp," 13 July 2018 What other stakeholders in the system can draw on the experience of interacting with patients and caregivers as well as working with other clinical and business administration functions, payers, and drug companies? — Alexi Nazem, STAT, "Health care needs more physician CEOs like Atul Gawande," 13 July 2018 Museum launches resident artist program The DuPage Children’s Museum has a new program in which young children can work alongside a professional artist this summer. — Michelle Mullins, Naperville Sun, "Naperville News Digest," 13 July 2018 Although few derided past presidents’ ultimately naive dreams of working with Putin, Trump’s professed identical goal is sending visible willies through Democrats and European allies alike. — Andrew Malcolm, SFChronicle.com, "Will Trump stand up to Putin or fall for him?," 12 July 2018 Nikki Jones, who runs the apprentice programme, says that the centre works with employers to make sure the apprenticeships meet their needs. — The Economist, "A welcome upgrade to apprenticeships," 12 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
This time not as an exotic live-work bachelor pad — its long-time use — but as a second home for a family of four that uses it to as a getaway from the burbs to the city. — Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, "Former Corktown bachelor pad is now a loft fit for the whole family," 14 July 2018 And one surprising reason is that men seem to enjoy factory work much more than women do. — Evan Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, "Work is getting better, especially for women," 14 July 2018 Kwandibens’ work also reflects on ancestral ties to the land. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "Unprecedented Billboard Campaign Puts Spotlight on Indigenous Artists in Canada," 13 July 2018 To see Peter and David being so recognized [Hujar was the subject of a recent show at the Morgan Library, Wojnarowicz’s work goes on show at the Whitney this week], is really great. — Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, "Dianne Benson, A Maverick Retailer in 1980s New York, Talks Fashion, Art, and Collaborators Like David Wojnarowicz and Cindy Sherman," 13 July 2018 Soon after a Berrada LLC bought Young's building on the 5300 block of North 29th Street, the company began renovation work. — Kevin Crowe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'He'll evict you in a minute.' Landlord quietly becomes a force in Milwaukee rental business...and eviction court," 13 July 2018 At its peak, General Dynamics employed as many as 46,000 workers in the San Diego area, or about 15 percent of the county's work force. — sandiegouniontribune.com, "July 13, 1958: Thousands tour new Convair plant on Kearny Mesa," 13 July 2018 The move, in the works for more than a year, has been fully implemented this summer and has the understaffed warden force scrambling. — Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin warden shortage and changes in responsibilities raise concerns," 14 July 2018 The city of Aurora is seeking to finish up the work needed on Benton Avenue through downtown. — Steve Lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora ready to finish Benton Avenue work," 13 July 2018Recent 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. 2018These 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.
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More Definitions for work
work
noun
English Language Learners Definition of work
(Entry 1 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
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of work (Entry 2 of 3)
: suitable to be worn while you are working
: used for work
: of or relating to a person's job
work
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of work (Entry 3 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.)
See the full definition for work in the English Language Learners Dictionary
work
noun
\
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.
3 : the place where someone works I left my coat at work.
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
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
verbKids 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.
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.
7 : make entry 1 sense 1, shape The vase is beautifully wrought.
8 : to make an effort especially for a long period She worked hard to make the dinner a success.
9 : excite sense 1, provoke You're going to work yourself into a rage.
10 : to carry on an occupation in, through, or along Two agents worked the city.
1 : to invent or solve by effort He had it all worked out so it wouldn't look fishy.— Zilpha Keatley Snyder, The Egypt Game
2 : to go through an exercise routine
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