workhorse

American  

[wurk-hawrs] / ˈwɜrkˌhɔrs /

noun

1. a horse used for plowing, hauling, and other heavy labor, as distinguished from a riding horse, racehorse, etc.

2. a person who works tirelessly at a task, assumes extra duties, etc.

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workhorse British  

/ ˈwɜːkˌhɔːs /

noun

1. a horse used for nonrecreational activities

2. informal a person who takes on the greatest amount of work in a project or job

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Etymology

Origin of workhorse

First recorded in 1535–45; work + horse

Example Sentences

The product of an upper-middle-class family and a so-so college, nose perennially pressed to the window—and to the grindstone—she is a workhorse.

From The Wall Street Journal

These workhorse chips represent the vast majority of global production.

From MarketWatch

The hall is at once a luminous public landmark and a workhorse.

From Los Angeles Times

Known as the "workhorse" of the British Army, the MAN Logistic Support Vehicle is used to deliver food, fuel and other supplies to troops.

From BBC

However the rocket is not reusable, unlike SpaceX's Falcon 9 workhorse.

From Barron's