workhorse

noun

work·​horse ˈwərk-ˌhȯrs How to pronounce workhorse (audio)
Synonyms of workhorsenext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Understanding the benefits muscle cells have as endocrine workhorses could help keep us all healthier in the long run. — Mike McRae 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 Soyuz rockets are the workhorse for Russia’s space program, launching navigation satellites, spy spacecraft, and crew missions to the International Space Station. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026 That means workloads need to run on a wider variety of chips such as central processing units (CPUs), instead of relying solely on general-purpose workhorse graphics processing units (GPUs). — Isabel O'Brien,katie Tarasov, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 The bank statement loan, Miami’s workhorse The centerpiece of this world is the bank statement loan. — Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for workhorse

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

Rhymes for workhorse

See All Rhymes for workhorse

Browse Nearby Words

workhead
workhorse
workhouse
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Cite this Entry

“Workhorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workhorse. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for workhorse

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