workforce

noun

work·​force ˈwərk-ˌfȯrs 

1

: the workers engaged in a specific activity or enterprise

the factory's workforce

2

: the number of workers potentially assignable for any purpose

the nation's workforce

Synonyms of workforce

• staff
• manpower
• personnel
• pool

Examples of workforce in a Sentence

We have a workforce of 2,400 people.

the office's entire workforce is devoted to a single project right now

Recent Examples on the Web

Notable Nuclear power is key to bolstering energy security in Africa, but its rollout on the continent requires workforce training and safety regulations, said Daniel Poneman, former US deputy enerfy secretary. — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026

The last snapshot of that data, published in September 2024, showed there were nearly 428,000 Black federal employees, representing about 19% of the total workforce. — Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026

Healthcare affordability is quickly becoming one of the most pressing workforce challenges small businesses face heading into 2027. — Glynn Frechette, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

However, the database is far from comprehensive and represents about a fifth of Homeland Security's workforce, which staffs a little more than 220,000 people. — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for workforce

• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce
• indorse
• midcourse
• outsource
• perforce
• racehorse
• remorse
• seahorse
• workhorse

Kids Definition

workforce

noun

work·​force ˈwərk-ˌfō(ə)rs 

-ˌfȯ(ə)rs

: the workers of a specific activity or business

the factory's workforce