workflow

American  

[wurk-floh] / ˈwɜrkˌfloʊ /

noun

1. the flow or amount of work to and from an office, department, or employee.

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Usage

What is a workflow? A workflow is most often a series of repeatable steps in completing a work project, such as creating a product (like a computer) or performing a service (like writing an article). For example, the steps in writing a news article might include:

1. Receive an assignment from your editor.
2. Research the topic.
3. Interview people involved.
4. Write an outline of the article.
5. Write the article.
6. Edit the article.
7. Hand in the article to your editor.

When a workflow involves more than one person, it will describe all the steps to be done as well as who will do them. It might also describe how long each step should take, where any physical objects should be moved to (as in manufacturing), and other details important to managing the workflow. Workflow is also the amount of work one or more workers or an entire organization has at one time, as in The machine shop’s workflow was so high that they hired temporary help. Example: The consultant was able to change the steps in our manufacturing workflow, and now we are sending out product orders on time.

Etymology

Origin of workflow

First recorded in 1945–50; work + flow

Explanation

The step-by-step process you use to get a task done is workflow. You may not want to interrupt your workflow in the middle of the day, but it's important to eat lunch! While bosses and workers have always had some concept of the idea of workflow — the series or pattern of steps from the beginning of a work project to the end — this term didn't emerge until the mid-20th century. Originally, workflow was used to describe the process of manufacturing and factory work, while today it's often used in the context of office work. Do you have a routine process for completing homework assignments? Then that's your workflow.

Example Sentences

The workflow automation company isn’t getting replaced by artificial intelligence, UBS said, but enterprises aren’t opening their wallets for non-AI tools either.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Once the parameters are set, the tool offers a workflow for traders to edit, review and approve before it goes live.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Software developers can use Claude Code and other similar applications as part of their daily workflow to help with specific tasks.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Long-tail SaaS companies whose entire value proposition is workflow automation that a foundation model does better and cheaper.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

This rapid workflow produced stacks of 2D images that researchers later combined to create full 3D models.

From Science Daily • Mar. 10, 2026