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

"It is probably about going back to being a workhorse that doesn't miss and has high skill," he says.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Known as a workhorse, she initially won broad praise for her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Denmark during her first term from 2019 to 2022.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

The workhorse of the fuel world was climbing on Monday following a drone strike on a major Saudi refinery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

While the world kept close watch on climbing crude-oil prices on Monday, the so-called workhorse fuel of the industrial world was seeing a far more dramatic response as the Iran conflict reaches its third day.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026

During my first year on the national team, I was a workhorse who showed no mercy on the strip, but I was a lamb among my teammates, with the goal of forging friendships with them.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad