works
Britishplural noun
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(often functioning as singular) a place where a number of people are employed, such as a factory
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the sum total of a writer's or artist's achievements, esp when considered together
the works of Shakespeare
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the deeds of a person, esp virtuous or moral deeds performed as religious acts
works of charity
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the interior parts of the mechanism of a machine, etc
the works of a clock
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informal in preparation
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See spanner
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slang
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full or extreme treatment
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a very violent physical beating
to give someone the works
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slang a syringe
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(modifier) of or denoting a racing car, etc, that is officially entered by a manufacturer in an event
a works entry
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.
But I meet Michele and I said, 'well, I see how this works', and I changed it.
From BBC • Dec. 15, 2025
Burning Man Leftovers: These sculptures lack the gaudy grandeur of their relatives that are displayed annually at the festival in the Nevada desert but retain those works’ air of muesli-munching elitism.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025
If Montecito residents want to do landscaping on a public right-of-way legally, homeowners may apply for an encroachment permit, according to the public works’ letter.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2024
"The question of 'if DLE works' is gone now. It's an engineering challenge. It's not a technological challenge," said E3's Doornbos.
From Reuters • Sep. 13, 2023
And, besides, by ‘their works’ ye shall know them.”
From The Betrothed From the Italian of Alessandro Manzoni by Manzoni, Alessandro
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.