workhorse

noun

work·​horse ˈwərk-ˌhȯrs 

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

c

: horse sense 7

Examples of workhorse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The under-$100 dutch oven is another must-have kitchen workhorse, and it’s even endorsed by chef Bobby Flay. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2026

Tough stretch Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber are the Wild’s workhorse, no-doubt top defense pair. —Joe Smith, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026

The workhorse aircraft has been stationed at the Yuba County base since the 1970s; the 940th was reattached to Beale in 2016. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Mar. 2026

Two-in-one pieces are the workhorses of my travel wardrobe, and this Barbour Babbity Reversible Raincoat is designed with that sort of double-duty capability in mind. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for workhorse

• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce
• indorse
• midcourse
• outsource
• perforce
• racecourse
• racehorse
• remorse
• seahorse

Kids Definition

workhorse

noun

work·​horse ˈwərk-ˌhȯ(ə)rs 

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