workhorse

noun

work·​horse ˈwərk-ˌhȯrs 

1

: a horse used chiefly for labor as distinguished from driving, riding, or racing

2

a(1)

: a person who performs most of the work of a group task

(2)

: a hardworking person

b

: something that is markedly useful, durable, or dependable

c

: horse sense 7

Examples of workhorse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their three high-leverage workhorses in the playoffs were Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, and Luke Weaver. —Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Project Overview Working Time: 0 minute Total Time: 10 minutes Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $5-10 Canvas tote bags are workhorses. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2024

The Air Force needs to clean up its act on buying spare parts for its workhorse C-17, the Pentagon inspector general announced Tuesday, blasting the service for spending 80 times the commercial rate for soap dispensers. —Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

Commonly used in pickups, that type of basic structure is associated with workhorse capability and off-roading. —Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

workhorse

noun

work·​horse ˈwərk-ˌhȯ(ə)rs 

1

: a horse used for hard work (as on a farm)

2

a

: a person who does most of the work of a group task

b

: something that is useful, durable, or dependable