workhorse

noun

work·​horse ˈwərk-ˌhȯrs How to pronounce workhorse (audio)
Synonyms of workhorsenext
1
: a horse used chiefly for labor as distinguished from driving, riding, or racing
2
a(1)
: a person who performs most of the work of a group task
(2)
: a hardworking person
b
: something that is markedly useful, durable, or dependable

Examples of workhorse in a Sentence

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.
Blue Moon Mark 1 Blue Origin’s cargo lander has emerged as the supreme workhorse of the early stages of NASA’s Artemis program and Moon Base. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026 Blue Origin, which Amazon's Bezos founded back in 2000, sees the 320-foot-tall (98 meters) New Glenn as its launch workhorse, a powerhouse rocket that will help humanity establish a foothold away from Earth. Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 May 2026 The failure halts New Glenn missions just weeks after an upper-stage engine issue, threatening schedules for Amazon internet satellites and NASA’s Artemis moon landings that depend on Blue Origin’s heavy-lift workhorse. Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026 Most consumer masks use some combination of these, with red and near-infrared as the workhorse wavelengths. Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for workhorse

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of workhorse was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Workhorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workhorse. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

workhorse

noun
work·​horse ˈwərk-ˌhȯ(ə)rs How to pronounce workhorse (audio)
1
: a horse used for hard work (as on a farm)
2
a
: a person who does most of the work of a group task
b
: something that is useful, durable, or dependable

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