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

Like O’Leary, elder care industry leaders nationwide are bracing for the loss of a key pillar of their workforce. —Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026

Florida cannot afford policies that unintentionally weaken the workforce sustaining care in underserved areas. —José Sosa-Palacios, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026

With the increase in workforce, office construction is returning slowly. —Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2026

Beyond politics, economists worry that artificial intelligence will encourage businesses to further slash workforces in an already shaky labor market. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 30 Jan. 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
• racecourse
• racehorse
• remorse
• seahorse

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