workload
noun
work·load
ˈwərk-ˌlōd 
1
: the amount of work or of working time expected or assigned
students with a heavy workload
2
: the amount of work performed or capable of being performed (as by a mechanical device) usually within a specific period
Examples of workload in a Sentence
Students complained about the heavy workload.
Recent Examples on the Web
The filing referenced a heart attack Newman suffered in June 2021 and a fainting incident in May 2022, and noted that her workload had been reduced.
—
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023
In fact, it is often considered a selling point of a program that the delivery can be added to the workload of women who are paid little or nothing, Dr. Dube said.
—Stephanie Nolen Tiksa Negeri, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023
California is the only state to mandate minimum nurse staffing levels at hospitals and experts say those nurse-to-patient ratios have helped reduce the increasingly heavy workloads that are driving many to quit or retire early.
—Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023
This season began with questions about Pollard’s ability to handle a heavy workload.
—Calvin Watkins, Dallas News, 19 Sep. 2023
Elliott — just 28 years old, though his Dallas workload essentially aged him another five years — remains a goal-line threat, with 12 rushing touchdowns last season.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023
Telecommuting allows caregivers to manage a workload that is, if anything, way too big.
—Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 1 Sep. 2023
The brunt of the criticism concerned a relatively small portion of the board’s workload, hearings that are primarily for aging prisoners who were given indeterminate sentences decades ago for serious crimes such as first-degree murder.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2023
On the mound, there was a veteran in Kershaw (whose workload was limited after skipping a start last week amid his battles with a lingering shoulder injury) passing the baton to a rookie in Emmet Sheehan (who pitched three scoreless innings in a promising sign for his potential October usage).
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
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Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023
In fact, it is often considered a selling point of a program that the delivery can be added to the workload of women who are paid little or nothing, Dr. Dube said.
—Stephanie Nolen Tiksa Negeri, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023
California is the only state to mandate minimum nurse staffing levels at hospitals and experts say those nurse-to-patient ratios have helped reduce the increasingly heavy workloads that are driving many to quit or retire early.
—Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023
This season began with questions about Pollard’s ability to handle a heavy workload.
—Calvin Watkins, Dallas News, 19 Sep. 2023
Elliott — just 28 years old, though his Dallas workload essentially aged him another five years — remains a goal-line threat, with 12 rushing touchdowns last season.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023
Telecommuting allows caregivers to manage a workload that is, if anything, way too big.
—Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 1 Sep. 2023
The brunt of the criticism concerned a relatively small portion of the board’s workload, hearings that are primarily for aging prisoners who were given indeterminate sentences decades ago for serious crimes such as first-degree murder.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2023
On the mound, there was a veteran in Kershaw (whose workload was limited after skipping a start last week amid his battles with a lingering shoulder injury) passing the baton to a rookie in Emmet Sheehan (who pitched three scoreless innings in a promising sign for his potential October usage).
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'workload.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near workload
Cite this Entry
“Workload.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workload. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
workload
noun
work·load
ˈwərk-ˌlōd
1
: the amount of work or of working time expected or assigned
students with a heavy workload
2
: the amount of work performed or capable of being performed usually within a specific period
a machine's workload
More from Merriam-Webster on workload
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for workload
Britannica English: Translation of workload for Arabic Speakers
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