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

• 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

Afterall, if new grads are underprepared to enter the workforce, that’s not their fault– that is a systemic issue. —Allison Danielsen, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025

The organization has a workforce of seven and serves hundreds of people in the area. —Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025

Analysts estimate there are about 300 scamming compounds in the country with a workforce of up to 200,000 people. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025

Payne’s goals around housing include serving residents in all stages of life — college graduates, those entering the workforce, families, empty-nesters, and retirees to name a few. —Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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