WPA

American  

abbreviation

1. Work Projects Administration: the former federal agency (1935–43) charged with instituting and administering public works in order to relieve national unemployment.

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WPA British  

abbreviation

1. Work Projects Administration or Works Progress Administration

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Etymology

Origin of WPA

First recorded in 1935

Example Sentences

Employing more than 8.5 million people, WPA built bridges, roads, public buildings, parks and airports, while supporting artists, writers and musicians whose work helped define American culture.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Critics called it a boondoggle, but WPA got millions of Americans back to work.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Decades of archival sleuthing, gallery auctions, junk store reconnaissance and negotiations with private collectors have culminated in Leen’s new book, “Ranger of the Lost Art: Rediscovering the WPA Poster Art of Our National Parks.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 23, 2023

The WPA itself had fallen to philistines after Hopkins moved up to the cabinet post of Commerce Secretary in 1938, and was shut down in 1943.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 7, 2023

At Poillon’s suggestion, Lawrence deleted the WPA acknowledgment from papers that involved medical work financed by the Macy.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik