workup

1 of 3

noun (1)

work·​up ˈwərk-ˌəp How to pronounce workup (audio)
: an intensive diagnostic study especially for medical purposes

work-up

2 of 3

noun (2)

: an unintended mark on a printed sheet caused by the rising of spacing material

work up

3 of 3

verb

worked up; working up; works up

transitive verb

1
: to stir up : rouse
2
: to produce by mental or physical work
worked up a comedy act
worked up a sweat in the gym

intransitive verb

: to rise gradually in intensity or emotional tone

Examples of workup in a Sentence

Verb spent years working up a period novel that was historically accurate in every detail
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
An annual blood workup might signal that your routine is too focused on one domain. Matt Fuchs, TIME, 30 Sep. 2024 According to a 2018 letter to the editor written by retired Command Sergeants Major Thomas Behrends and Paul Herr to Minnesota’s West Central Tribune newspaper, the unit began its training workup in the fall of 2005, and then spent 18 months in the combat zone in 2006 and 2007. The Editors, National Review, 8 Aug. 2024
Noun
Helping people overcome treatment-resistant depression begins with a thorough work-up to ensure a proper diagnosis. Karen Pallarito, Health, 2 June 2024 Good posture and footwork to slide, secure and climb on work-up blocks. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024
Verb
How else could a 20-year-old from a small town in Mexico who didn’t speak English or understand anything about this strange city have worked up the nerve to stare down the New York Yankees in the World Series? Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024 Recognizing that, Fifita and McMillan worked up a new tactic to throw at Hunter last fall: the jump ball. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for workup 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'workup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1939, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1903, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of workup was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near workup

Cite this Entry

“Workup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workup. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

work up

verb
1
: to stir up
worked up support for the project
2
: to produce by mental or physical work
worked up a sweat at the gym

Medical Definition

workup

1 of 2 noun
work·​up ˈwər-ˌkəp How to pronounce workup (audio)
: an intensive diagnostic study
a gastrointestinal workup
a psychiatric workup

work up

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to perform a diagnostic workup upon
work up a patient
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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