workhorse

noun

work·​horse ˈwərk-ˌhȯrs How to pronounce workhorse (audio)
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

Examples of workhorse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Shop the elegant workhorse for a whopping $318 off. Rachel Simon, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2024 Cabbage has spent an eternity as the workhorse of the stir-fry and the braise, the quiet companion to endless duck legs and pulled pork sandwiches. Kim Severson, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Sheet pans are the underestimated, underappreciated workhorses of your kitchen. Olga Massov, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 Morgan, who was promoted to the Panthers’ president of football operations and general manager last month, has gained a reputation for being a workhorse in the film room. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2024 Coupled with workhorse Miles Mikolas and comeback candidate Steven Matz, that should be enough for a decent though not spectacular rotation, backed by quality closer Ryan Helsley. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Alaska Airlines, which has 65 Max 9s, and United, with 79, are the only U.S. airlines to fly that particular model of Boeing’s workhorse 737. Claire Rush, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2024 Read on below: Sheet pans are kitchen workhorses with limitless possibilities The secret to 15-minute meals? Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Cabbage has been a global culinary workhorse for centuries. Kim Severson, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'workhorse.' 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

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of workhorse was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near workhorse

Cite this Entry

“Workhorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workhorse. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

workhorse

noun
work·​horse ˈwərk-ˌhȯ(ə)rs How to pronounce workhorse (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on workhorse

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