workflow

noun

work·​flow ˈwərk-ˌflō How to pronounce workflow (audio)
variants or less commonly work flow
: the sequence of steps involved in moving from the beginning to the end of a working process
improving office workflow
… this new upgrade isn't revolutionary. But it does a fine job of streamlining workflow and getting the business done.Sally Wiener Grotta
The site automates and tracks workflow as well. For example, when a subcontractor fills out a request for information, it goes directly to the general contractor, who signs off on it. The request then travels to the architect, then back to the subcontractor.Lawrence Stevens

Examples of workflow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Picture an insurance agency where a claims representative wanders over to her cubicle mate, tells him there’s a new workflow system for online filing, then asks him to tuck her butt back into her skirt. Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2023 Beyond the relatively prosaic impact that distance had on the duo’s workflow, the absence embedded in its yawning tones helps reinforce the impression that this is music of the ether, untethered to anything terrestrial. Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2023 However, the content creation workflow within WordPress for these enterprises often presents complexities. Anil Gupta, Forbes, 17 July 2023 While the primal Moon in your responsible 6th house interacts with logical Mercury in your 12th House of Secrets, do your best to put your workflow into words. Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2023 Others have emphasized changes to the Hollywood workflow, such as automatically visualizing a film script before shooting it or overlaying CGI characters atop a motion-capture performance. Brian Contreras, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2023 Some experts say that rather than killing off jobs, A.I. is more likely to change the workflow. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2023 Addressing today’s post-production needs, Clarity Vx Pro allows for real-time processing and vastly speeds up and enhances the workflow of dialogue editing and mixing. Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Aug. 2023 Party Trick: Pass-Through Windows A bank of wood windows that Mallorie and Jim salvaged from a neighbor’s renovation project sits between the indoor kitchen’s sink and prep space and the outdoor kitchen’s 14-inch-deep counter, creating a seamless workflow between the two spaces. Anna Logan, Country Living, 11 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'workflow.' 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

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of workflow was in 1921

Dictionary Entries Near workflow

Cite this Entry

“Workflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workflow. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

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