workforce

American  

[wurk-fawrs] / ˈwɜrkˌfɔrs /

Or work force

noun

1. the total number of workers in a specific undertaking.

   a holiday for the company's workforce.

2. the total number of people employed or employable.

   a sharp increase in the nation's workforce.

---

workforce British  

/ ˈwɜːkˌfɔːs /

noun

1. the total number of workers employed by a company on a specific job, project, etc

2. the total number of people who could be employed

   the country's workforce is growing rapidly

---

Etymology

Origin of workforce

First recorded in 1940–45; work ( def. ) + force ( def. )

Example Sentences

Likewise, he’s concerned about the “Jobless Profit Boom,” in which profits are driven by leaner workforces rather than higher revenue–a short-term benefit but one that might come with long-term risks.

From Barron's

Likewise, he’s concerned about the “Jobless Profit Boom,” in which profits are driven by leaner workforces rather than higher revenue–a short-term benefit but one that might come with long-term risks.

From Barron's

Yet most companies have the least amount of reliable information about their workforce.

From MarketWatch

Mr. Biden issued an executive order embedding “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” across “all parts of the Federal workforce.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“If we double our throughput, there’s no question we’re going to need a bigger workforce to handle that,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• labor pool
• personnel