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

Bulgur and Moroccan spices turn carrots, a workhorse of the kitchen, into a vibrant salad. —Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026

Pick the right machine for your lifestyle In the battle between top loaders and front loaders, which laundry workhorse emerges victorious? —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026

Put these garden workhorses to the test in your own landscape. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

But that weeknight dinner workhorse can also moonlight as a surprisingly effective cleaning tool. —Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 25 Feb. 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