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.
On the other hand, Democrats have worked to nationalize the race by tying Earle-Sears to Trump and his efforts to slash the federal workforce. Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025 But a key challenge for businesses is ensuring that the benefits of these tools are broadly shared across the workforce. Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 7 Sep. 2025 Instead of viewing this as a lack of ambition, astute employers will recognize it as a wake-up call about what motivates the future workforce in a post-social contract age. Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025 Successful workforce transitions require structured evaluation processes for each potential AI use case. Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Workforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workforce. Accessed 9 Sep. 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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