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

• force
• help
• labor force
• manpower
• personnel
• pool
• staff

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

Based on anecdotal research and internal surveys, TAG estimates that one-third of TAG’s animation workforce has been laid off in the past year. —Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 17 Aug. 2024

Cisco also announced plans to cut 7% of its workforce. —Samantha Subin, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2024

Women with higher education and technical skills are more likely to participate in the workforce, reduce the wage gap and contribute to economic growth. —Bree Carriglio, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024

Just 16% of those surveyed said their workforce was highly equipped across all areas necessary for GenAI utilization, however. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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