workforce

noun

work·​force ˈwərk-ˌfȯrs How to pronounce workforce (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An increasing number of federal agencies and workforces are feeling the effects of the government shutdown, which is heading toward its third week with no clear end in sight. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025 And yet the Republican administration and its congressional allies are showing no signs of caving to Democratic demands or backing away from threats to use the opportunity to pursue deeper cuts to the federal workforce. Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025 At least three bills have been filed by Republicans and Democrats acknowledging the growing problem of a limited domestic workforce and a reliance on migrant labor. ABC News, 12 Oct. 2025 The country’s declining birthrate means a shrinking workforce saddled with supporting a swelling elderly population. Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for workforce

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of workforce was in 1931

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Workforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workforce. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

workforce

noun
work·​force ˈwərk-ˌfō(ə)rs How to pronounce workforce (audio)
-ˌfȯ(ə)rs
: the workers of a specific activity or business
the factory's workforce

More from Merriam-Webster on workforce

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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