1
a
: to perform work or fulfill duties regularly for wages or salary
works in publishing
b
: to perform or carry through a task requiring sustained effort or continuous repeated operations
worked all day over a hot stove
c
: to exert oneself physically or mentally especially in sustained effort for a purpose or under compulsion or necessity
2
: to function or operate according to plan or design
hinges work better with oil
3
: to produce a desired effect or result : succeed
a plan that will work
4
: to exert an influence or tendency
5
a
: to make way slowly and with difficulty : move or progress laboriously
worked up to the presidency
b
: to sail to windward
6
a
: to move slightly in relation to another part
b
: to get into a specified condition by slow or imperceptible movements
the knot worked loose
c
: to be in agitation or restless motion
d
7
: to permit of being worked : react in a specified way to being worked
this wood works easily
1
: to set or keep in motion, operation, or activity : cause to operate or produce
a pump worked by hand
work farmland
2
: to bring to pass : effect
work miracles
3
: to solve (a problem) by reasoning or calculation
—often used with out
4
a
: to cause to toil or labor
worked their horses nearly to death
b
: to make use of : exploit
c
: to control or guide the operation of
switches are worked from a central tower
5
a
: to carry on an operation or perform a job through, at, in, or along
the peddler worked the corner
a sportscaster hired to work the game
b
: to greet and talk with in a friendly way in order to ingratiate oneself or achieve a purpose
politicians working the crowd
worked the room
6
: to pay for or achieve with labor or service
worked my way through college
worked my way up in the company
7
a
: to prepare for use by stirring or kneading
b
: to bring into a desired form by a gradual process of cutting, hammering, scraping, pressing, or stretching
work cold steel
8
9
1
: activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something:
a
: activity that a person engages in regularly to earn a livelihood
people looking for work
b
: a specific task, duty, function, or assignment often being a part or phase of some larger activity
c
: sustained physical or mental effort to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or result
2
: one's place of employment
didn't go to work today
3
a
: something produced or accomplished by effort, exertion, or exercise of skill
this book is the work of many hands
b
: something produced by the exercise of creative talent or expenditure of creative effort : artistic production
an early work by a major writer
4
a
: something that results from a particular manner or method of working, operating, or devising
careful police work
clever camera work
b
: something that results from the use or fashioning of a particular material
porcelain work
5
a
works plural
: structures in engineering (such as docks, bridges, or embankments) or mining (such as shafts or tunnels)
b
: a fortified structure (such as a fort, earthen barricade, or trench)
6
7
works plural
: the working or moving parts of a mechanism
the works of a clock
8
works plural
a
: everything possessed, available, or belonging
the whole works, rod, reel, tackle box, went overboard
ordered pizza with the works
b
: subjection to drastic treatment : all possible abuse
—usually used with get or give
get the works
gave them the works
9
a
: the transference of energy that is produced by the motion of the point of application of a force and is measured by multiplying the force and the displacement of its point of application in the line of action
b
: energy expended by natural phenomena
c
: the result of such energy
sand dunes are the work of sea and wind
10
b
: manner of working : workmanship, execution
11
works plural
: performance of moral or religious acts
salvation by works
12
: the material or piece of material that is operated upon at any stage in the process of manufacture
1
: suitable or styled for wear while working
work clothes
2
: used for work
a work elephant
3
: involving or engaged in work
a work crew
work hours
Synonyms
Examples of work in a Sentence
Verb
I started working when I was sixteen.
She works part-time at the restaurant.
She has always wanted to work in advertising.
She has to work two jobs to support her family.
She worked through lunch to get the report done.
I'm not working tomorrow—the boss gave me the day off.
He works about 60 hours a week.
The job requires that you work some nights and weekends.
She is used to working long hours.
She works the Northeast region of the state selling insurance.
Noun
She is trying to find work in publishing.
How long have you been looking for work?
He started work as a car salesman.
I know him through work.
She didn't come to work today.
He left work a few minutes ago.
She's not here right now. She's at work.
She went out with her friends from work.
Can you describe your work to the class?
A large part of the work is responding to e-mails.
Adjective
What does your work schedule look like this week?
Recent Examples on the Web
Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
The film was shot in Atlanta and marked Lohan's first as a working mom.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Devlin Barrett, New York Times, 10 Dec. 2024
His father was an employee at the Ford Motor Company and was required to travel frequently for work.
—Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2024
On the other hand, those who work of their own accord during post-work hours actually have slightly greater productivity and wellness scores, per Slack.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 20 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for work 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Less than two minutes later, the Lightning went to work on the power play and showed why their top unit is still a formidable threat despite Steven Stamkos’ departure.
—Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
The film was shot in Atlanta and marked Lohan's first as a working mom.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
The division, which enforces voting rights laws, investigates police departments and brings charges for violations of people’s civil rights, is spending the final days of the Biden administration finishing as much work as possible on cases involving patterns or practices of police misconduct.
—Devlin Barrett, New York Times, 10 Dec. 2024
His father was an employee at the Ford Motor Company and was required to travel frequently for work.
—Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Here’s a secret: The best of Paris can be found out on the streets where artists sell their work for $20, and along the Seine where locals go to enjoy a post-work drink.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2024
On the other hand, those who work of their own accord during post-work hours actually have slightly greater productivity and wellness scores, per Slack.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 20 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for work
Dictionary Entries Near work
Cite this Entry
“Work.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/work. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
work
1 of 3 noun1
2
: the energy used when a force is applied over a given distance
3
a
: something that results from a particular manner or method of working, operating, or devising
careful police work
b
: something that results from the use or shaping of a particular material
porcelain work
4
: a fortified structure (as a fort or trench)
6
plural
: the working or moving parts of a mechanical device
the works of a watch
7
: something produced by hard work or skill
a writer's first work
8
: manner of working : workmanship
careless work
9
plural
a
: everything available, possessed, or belonging
a hamburger with the works
b
: the harshest treatment possible
gave him the works
work
2 of 3 adjective1
: used for work
a work elephant
2
: suitable for wear while working
work clothes
work
3 of 3 verb1
: to bring about : effect
work a cure
2
a
: to prepare by stirring or shaping
work dough
b
: to bring into a desired form by a manufacturing process
work cold steel
3
: to set or keep in motion or operation
a pump worked by hand
4
: to solve by reasoning or figuring
work an arithmetic problem
5
a
: to cause to labor
worked the crew hard
b
: to make use of : exploit
work a mine
6
: to pay for with labor
work off a debt
7
a
: to get into or out of a state or position by stages
worked the boat loose
b
: contrive sense 3, arrange
work it so that you can leave soon
8
: excite sense 1, provoke
worked myself into a rage
9
a
: to make an effort especially for a long period
b
: to perform a task requiring extended effort or repeated operations
c
: to perform work regularly for wages
works in advertising
10
: to function or operate properly
hinges work better with oil
11
: to produce a desired effect : succeed
my plan worked
12
: to move gradually into a certain position or state
the knot worked loose
Etymology
Noun
Old English werc, weorc "work, activity directed toward accomplishing something"
Verb
Old English wyrcan "to create, cause to happen, shape"
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