workforce

Or work force

[wurk-fawrs]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of workforce¹

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

Example Sentences

The reality is that these countries are struggling to provide enough jobs and opportunities for people now entering the workforce.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“U.S. employers depend on a healthy workforce to maximize productivity and minimize healthcare costs,” the paper stated.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Experts confirmed that many Chinese-run compounds split the workforce according to their scamming ability.

Read more on Barron's

Around 70% of his workforce are women: "For many, this is their first salaried job, and the impact on their families is transformative – from financial security to education for their children," says Mr J K.

Read more on BBC

The NAO, which monitors how public money is spent, cited an "under-skilled workforce", businesses cutting corners and uncertainty over which standards to apply to which jobs, as some of the reasons for the substandard work.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• labor pool www.thesaurus.com
• personnel