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
Examples of workhorse in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
This workhorse pan is completely nonstick—perfect for beginners—holds just enough food for one, and comes in an array of fun colors too.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024
Even SpaceX’s workhorse rocket, the Falcon 9, which was responsible for SpaceX doing 90% of U.S. launches in 2023, can’t carry more than 50,265 pounds to low earth orbit when its booster is reused.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for workhorse 
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
This workhorse pan is completely nonstick—perfect for beginners—holds just enough food for one, and comes in an array of fun colors too.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024
Even SpaceX’s workhorse rocket, the Falcon 9, which was responsible for SpaceX doing 90% of U.S. launches in 2023, can’t carry more than 50,265 pounds to low earth orbit when its booster is reused.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for workhorse
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'workhorse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Workhorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workhorse. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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