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

But short-range systems such as the Iskander ballistic missile have been the workhorse for the Russian military. — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

The workhorse underneath it is MAI-Cyber-1-Flash, a small model Microsoft built in-house. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

The vehicles have been the workhorses for small and medium lift for the United States over the past decade and may remain so for some time. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Very Large Crude Carriers — the workhorses of Saudi Arabia’s export fleet — are too big to sail through fully laden. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 29 July 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