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 first orbital flight puts Starship over its biggest hurdle yet in SpaceX’s race to make the vehicle its new workhorse for space launches, replacing the wildly successful Falcon 9. — Lee Billings, Scientific American, 28 Sep. 2026

Schlittler only continued his ascent this year, emerging as the Yankees’ workhorse during a season in which Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodón all missed time. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026

Annual Ryegrass Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) is another cool-season workhorse. — Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2026

Trump has faced intensifying calls from within his own party to do something to slash sky-high prices for diesel, the workhorse fuel that powers trains, trucks, tractors and construction vehicles. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 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
• racehorse
• remorse
• seahorse
• workforce

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