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 unorthodox generator engine, which powered all types of workhorse vehicles between 1959 and 1991, sits neatly inside its wheeled cart. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 19 Aug. 2026

Nvidia’s graphics processing units, or GPUs, have become the primary computing workhorse for training and running many of the world’s most advanced AI models. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers like the Benfold and Higgins are the workhorses of the US Navy’s surface fleet, with more than 70 in service. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

The Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County in Southern California hosted a record 71 rocket launches last year, thanks to SpaceX and its workhorse Falcon 9. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 Aug. 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