workweek

American  

[wurk-week] / ˈwɜrkˌwik /

noun

1. the total number of regular working hours or days in a week.

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workweek British  

/ ˈwɜːkˌwiːk /

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): working week.  the number of hours or days in a week actually or officially allocated to work

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Usage

What does workweek mean? The workweek is the span of (often five) days that are not the weekend—the days when many people work. The standard workweek is from Monday through Friday, with Saturday and Sunday being considered the weekend, though working schedules vary widely. Many full-time jobs consist of a 40-hour workweek (five eight-hour days). In this sense, the workweek consists of all the time spent working in a week. The workweek can also be called the working week. A day of the workweek can be called a workday. The word week can sometimes be used to refer to the workweek, as in I can’t wait for this week to be over so I can spend the weekend relaxing. (Otherwise, week most commonly refers to any period of seven consecutive days or to the seven-day period on the calendar that begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday). Example: I’m usually too busy to do any of my hobbies during the workweek, but that’s how I spend my weekends. 

Etymology

Origin of workweek

First recorded in 1920–25; work + week

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

workweek

So everybody comes into this insane workweek having just been in therapy, complaining about work.

From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026

Blackouts have hit Pakistan, the Philippines has imposed a four-day workweek, and countries including Slovenia and Bangladesh have rationed fuel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 4, 2026

The average office worker spends roughly 28% of the workweek reading and answering email, according to a 2012 study.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026

She set a high standard for the agency, pushing forward legislation establishing the 40-hour workweek and the National Labor Relations Board — and also creating Social Security.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026

I’d wait for Barack, and because it was the end of the workweek, and because I was accustomed to it at this point, it didn’t bother me that he was late.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama