workforce
Americannoun
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the total number of workers in a specific undertaking.
a holiday for the company's workforce.
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the total number of people employed or employable.
a sharp increase in the nation's workforce.
noun
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the total number of workers employed by a company on a specific job, project, etc
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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. )
Explanation
The term workforce is useful when you talk about a group of people who work or are available to work. You might, for example, talk about the information technology workforce or the workforce in Austin, Texas. When you use the noun workforce, you are always talking about a lot of people, and you're usually referring to everyone in a particular industry or area. Economists often discuss the entire country's workforce, and you've probably heard about the auto industry workforce or the nursing workforce on the news. Workforce can be a singular or plural word, since it's used for a group of many individuals. It's been in use since the early 1960's.
Vocabulary lists containing workforce
The Modern Period, c. 1750 to c. 1914
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 8
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"A Long Way to Go: Minorities and the Media" and "Reza: Warrior of Peace"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Novo Nordisk is working with OpenAI on a broad deal that will use artificial intelligence to more quickly develop new medications as well as help train its workforce.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026
The Hollywood workforce has shrunk by more than 42,000 jobs between 2022 and 2024, according to a recent study.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026
But training resident doctors is essential to provide the consultant workforce of the future.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
The president and Congress must pass long-overdue legislation that reduces costs, allows guestworker access for all of agriculture and provides the stability our farmers, agricultural workforce and America’s families deserve.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
Fortunately, William was an early believer in the value of a diverse workforce, and he sought out talent wherever he could find it.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
