homework

noun

home·​work ˈhōm-ˌwərk 

1

: piecework done at home for pay

2

: an assignment given to a student to be completed outside the regular class period

3

: preparatory reading or research (as for a discussion or a debate)

Examples of homework in a Sentence

She started her algebra homework.

Recent Examples on the Web

Reading takes up 4% of the time, with homework accounting for just 1%. —Peter Greene, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

By giving teens the freedom to fail something—a test, a quiz, meeting a homework deadline—parents put them in control, which (over time) does feel motivating. —Jenny Anderson, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025

The White Lotus creator Mike White gave his season 3 cast some homework to do before filming began. —Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2025

While last year, a six-year-old girl spotted a major flaw in a homework question, prompting adults to praise her problem-solving skills. —Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for homework

• bodywork
• handiwork
• ironwork
• latticework
• masterwork
• metalwork
• needlework
• openwork
• overwork
• paperwork
• subnetwork
• artwork

Kids Definition

homework

noun

home·​work ˈhōm-ˌwərk 

: work and especially school lessons to be done outside the regular class period