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

Connectors are for the company’s Workflow Data Fabric, which it said “powers AI agents and workflows with instant and actionable data from any source.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Shortcuts replaces Apple’s old Workflow app and makes Siri more powerful and useful than ever before.

From The Verge • Oct. 25, 2018

And I will definitely continue using the Strict Workflow extension to limit my application-toggling to short breaks, instead of allowing it to take over my workday.

From Slate • Jun. 15, 2016

Launch Center Pro and Workflow give users the ability to program their own Quick Actions, bringing deep-down app features to the forefront of their iPhone.

From Time • Nov. 9, 2015

Workflow won the $5,000 prize — at the time, three of its four engineers were still in high school, including Mr. Patel.

From New York Times • Apr. 6, 2015