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

Coverage of the labor market in 2025 has taken on a decidedly white-collar tone, with artificial intelligence being cast as the principal long-term threat to the American workforce. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025

Different states have different requirements before a dental assistant can enter the workforce. —Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025

The deal with Brown University, by contrast, determined its payment will fund Rhode Island workforce development groups. —Hanna Park, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025

Minnesota is home to over 547,000 small businesses, which employ roughly half of the state’s workforce, according to a 2024 report from the SBA. —Mars King, Twin Cities, 29 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