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

Cole, who turned 34 years old ahead of this season, has been a workhorse his entire career, averaging 210 innings pitched per season. —Tyler Small, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

Marquez, a workhorse for six seasons and an All-Star in 2021, suffered an elbow injury four starts into 2023 and underwent Tommy John surgery. —Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2025

One competition series that has boosted its prize over the decades is Bravo’s workhorse cooking competition Top Chef. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2025

This is the workhorse layer of your layering system. —Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for workhorse

• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce
• indorse
• midcourse
• outsource
• perforce
• racecourse
• racehorse
• remorse
• seahorse

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