workweek

American  

[wurk-week] / ˈwɜrkˌwik /

noun

1. the total number of regular working hours or days in a week.

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workweek British  

/ ˈwɜːkˌwiːk /

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): working week.  the number of hours or days in a week actually or officially allocated to work

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Usage

What does workweek mean? The workweek is the span of (often five) days that are not the weekend—the days when many people work. The standard workweek is from Monday through Friday, with Saturday and Sunday being considered the weekend, though working schedules vary widely. Many full-time jobs consist of a 40-hour workweek (five eight-hour days). In this sense, the workweek consists of all the time spent working in a week. The workweek can also be called the working week. A day of the workweek can be called a workday. The word week can sometimes be used to refer to the workweek, as in I can’t wait for this week to be over so I can spend the weekend relaxing. (Otherwise, week most commonly refers to any period of seven consecutive days or to the seven-day period on the calendar that begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday). Example: I’m usually too busy to do any of my hobbies during the workweek, but that’s how I spend my weekends. 

Etymology

Origin of workweek

First recorded in 1920–25; work + week

Example Sentences

Blackouts have hit Pakistan, the Philippines has imposed a four-day workweek, and countries including Slovenia and Bangladesh have rationed fuel.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Just days before, OpenAI also floated the idea of a four-day workweek and other policies “to keep people first.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

Bangladesh has shut universities and capped fuel prices; Pakistan has introduced a shortened workweek; and Thailand ordered civil servants to work from home.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

The Philippines recently declared an energy emergency, cutting operations in public buildings and shifting to a four-day workweek.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

While most of her workweek is devoted to commercial law, Justice spends Mondays in family court, representing families with the kind of problems hers had.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times