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 price of diesel, the workhorse fuel that powers the world economy, topped $6 a gallon on Friday for the first time ever. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

Spicy Shrimp Endive Spears Frozen ingredients are the workhorse of easier weeknight cooking. — Hana Asbrink, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Sep. 2026

Mahomes leaned heavily on his legs last year to finish as a top-5 fantasy QB, and with Kenneth Walker now brought in as the workhorse back, that rushing is immediately in question. — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

Not everybody will love the idea of swapping a newer, more complex transmission into their bulletproof workhorse. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 9 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