workhouse

[ wurk-hous ]

noun

, plural work·hous·es [wurk, -hou-ziz].

1. a house of correction.
2. British. (formerly) a poorhouse in which paupers were given work.
3. Obsolete. a workshop.

workhouse

/ ˈwɜːkˌhaʊs /

noun

1. (formerly in England) an institution maintained at public expense where able-bodied paupers did unpaid work in return for food and accommodation
2. (in the US) a prison for petty offenders serving short sentences at manual labour

Word History and Origins

Origin of workhouse¹

before 1100; Middle English werkhous, Old English weorchūs workshop. See work, house

Example Sentences

It is sad to find how many of the old favourites of the music-hall fall upon evil times, and even die in the workhouse.

From Project Gutenberg

The little bullet-headed Jim was drafted off to the workhouse school, and from thence to a small fishing-smack.

From Project Gutenberg

The Central Authority was directed to make rules, etc., "for the education of the children" in the workhouse.

From Project Gutenberg

Inside the workhouse, the "able-bodied" (in the workhouse sense) are divided simply into male and female.

From Project Gutenberg

A more difficult question was whether a man could continue to receive relief in the workhouse if his wife insisted on leaving it.

From Project Gutenberg