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

The result is a workforce that is smaller, less dynamic, and aging faster, precisely when adaptation to technological change requires the opposite. —Jane Sadowsky, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025

In addition to lowering costs, accelerated medical programs seek to address health care workforce shortages by training physicians more quickly. —Tribune News Service, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025

PAs testifying in support of the bill also argued the changes would give them parity with nurse practitioners, keeping them competitive in the workforce. —Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025

Calvo says his broader plan also includes tackling retention by creating workforce housing for first responders. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

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