work
1work
noun \ˈwərk\: a job or activity that you do regularly especially in order to earn money
: the place where you do your job
: the things that you do especially as part of your job
Full Definition of WORK
1
: activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something: a : sustained physical or mental effort to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or result b : the labor, task, or duty that is one's accustomed means of livelihood c : a specific task, duty, function, or assignment often being a part or phase of some larger activity
2
a : energy expended by natural phenomena b : the result of such energy <sand dunes are the work of sea and wind> c : the transference of energy that is produced by the motion of the point of application of a force and is measured by multiplying the force and the displacement of its point of application in the line of action
3
a : something that results from a particular manner or method of working, operating, or devising <careful police work> <clever camera work> b : something that results from the use or fashioning of a particular material <porcelain work>
4
a : a fortified structure (as a fort, earthen barricade, or trench) b plural : structures in engineering (as docks, bridges, or embankments) or mining (as shafts or tunnels)
5
6
plural : the working or moving parts of a mechanism <the works of a clock>
7
a : something produced or accomplished by effort, exertion, or exercise of skill <this book is the work of many hands> b : something produced by the exercise of creative talent or expenditure of creative effort : artistic production <an early work by a major writer>
8
plural : performance of moral or religious acts <salvation by works>
9
a : effective operation : effect, result <wait for time to do its healing work> b : manner of working : workmanship, execution
10
: the material or piece of material that is operated upon at any stage in the process of manufacture
11
plural a : everything possessed, available, or belonging <the whole works, rod, reel, tackle box, went overboard> <ordered pizza with the works> b : subjection to drastic treatment : all possible abuse —usually used with get <get the works> or give <gave them the works>
— at work
1
: engaged in working : busy; especially : engaged in one's regular occupation
2
: having effect : operating, functioning
— in the works
: in process of preparation, development, or completion
— in work
1
: in process of being done
2
of a horse : in training
— out of work
: without regular employment : jobless
See Examples of WORK
- She is trying to find work in publishing.
- How long have you been looking for work?
- He started work as a car salesman.
- I know him through work.
- She didn't come to work today.
- He left work a few minutes ago.
- She's not here right now. She's at work.
- She went out with her friends from work.
- Can you describe your work to the class?
- A large part of the work is responding to e-mails.
Origin of WORK
Middle English werk, work, from Old English werc, weorc; akin to Old High German werc work, Greek ergon, Avestan varəzem activity
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to WORK
- Synonyms
- number, opus, piece, composition
Synonym Discussion of WORK
work, labor, travail, toil, drudgery, grind mean activity involving effort or exertion. work may imply activity of body, of mind, of a machine, or of a natural force <too tired to do any work>. labor applies to physical or intellectual work involving great and often strenuous exertion <farmers demanding fair compensation for their labor>. travail is bookish for labor involving pain or suffering <years of travail were lost when the house burned>. toil implies prolonged and fatiguing labor <his lot would be years of back-breaking toil>. drudgery suggests dull and irksome labor <an editorial job with a good deal of drudgery>. grind implies labor exhausting to mind or body <the grind of the assembly line>.work, employment, occupation, calling, pursuit, métier, business mean a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living. work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not <her work as a hospital volunteer>. employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer <your employment with this firm is hereby terminated>. occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training <his occupation as a trained auto mechanic>. calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession <the ministry seemed my true calling>. pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest <her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit>. métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted <acting was my one and only métier>. business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs <the business of managing a hotel>.
2work
adjective: suitable to be worn while you are working
: used for work
: of or relating to a person's job
Full Definition of WORK
1
: used for work <a work elephant>
2
: suitable or styled for wear while working <work clothes>
3
: involving or engaged in work <a work gang> <work hours>
Examples of WORK
- What does your work schedule look like this week?
First Known Use of WORK
14th century
Other Business Terms
3work
verb: to have a job
: to do things as part of your job
: to do work in, on, or at (an area, event, etc.)
worked \ˈwərkt\ or wrought \ˈrȯt\ work·ing
Full Definition of WORK
transitive verb
1
: to bring to pass : effect <work miracles>
2
3
a : to prepare for use by stirring or kneading b : to bring into a desired form by a gradual process of cutting, hammering, scraping, pressing, or stretching <work cold steel>
4
: to set or keep in motion, operation, or activity : cause to operate or produce <a pump worked by hand> <work farmland>
5
: to solve (a problem) by reasoning or calculation —often used with out
6
a : to cause to toil or labor <worked their horses nearly to death> b : to make use of : exploit c : to control or guide the operation of <switches are worked from a central tower>
7
a : to carry on an operation or perform a job through, at, in, or along <the peddler worked the corner> <a sportscaster hired to work the game> b : to greet and talk with in a friendly way in order to ingratiate oneself or achieve a purpose <politicians working the crowd> <worked the room>
8
: to pay for or achieve with labor or service <worked my way through college> <worked my way up in the company>
9
10
intransitive verb
1
a : to exert oneself physically or mentally especially in sustained effort for a purpose or under compulsion or necessity b : to perform or carry through a task requiring sustained effort or continuous repeated operations <worked all day over a hot stove> c : to perform work or fulfill duties regularly for wages or salary <works in publishing>
2
: to function or operate according to plan or design <hinges work better with oil>
3
: to exert an influence or tendency
4
: to produce a desired effect or result : succeed <a plan that will work>
5
a : to make way slowly and with difficulty : move or progress laboriously <worked up to the presidency> b : to sail to windward
6
: to permit of being worked : react in a specified way to being worked <this wood works easily>
7
a : to be in agitation or restless motion b : ferment 1 c : to move slightly in relation to another part d : to get into a specified condition by slow or imperceptible movements <the knot worked loose>
— work on
1
: affect <worked on my sympathies>
2
: to strive to influence or persuade
— work upon
: to have effect upon : operate on
Examples of WORK
- I started working when I was sixteen.
- She works part-time at the restaurant.
- She has always wanted to work in advertising.
- She has to work two jobs to support her family.
- She worked through lunch to get the report done.
- I'm not working tomorrow—the boss gave me the day off.
- He works about 60 hours a week.
- The job requires that you work some nights and weekends.
- She is used to working long hours.
- She works the Northeast region of the state selling insurance.
Origin of WORK
Middle English werken, worken, from Old English wyrcan; akin to Old English weorc
First Known Use: before 12th century
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