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

Early education is directly tied to workforce participation and economic stability. —Tina Dello Russo, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026

The all-male workforce slowly transformed, too, with the first female chef hired in 2000, followed by servers. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 9 May 2026

California’s spending on its state workforce has grown by $6 billion since fiscal year 2019-20, the Legislative Analyst’s Office found. —Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026

As workforce conversations continue to evolve, these perspectives suggest that opportunity is not solely defined by emerging technologies or new industries. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 8 May 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