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

Prices for diesel, the workhorse fuel that powers trucks, tractors, trains and construction vehicles, hit all-time highs last month but has since backed away a bit. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Stoneware dinnerware has always been the workhorse of the ceramics world. — Angela Tafoya, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026

The first orbital flight puts Starship over its biggest hurdle yet in SpaceX’s race to make the vehicle its new workhorse for space launches, replacing the wildly successful Falcon 9. — Lee Billings, Scientific American, 28 Sep. 2026

Schlittler only continued his ascent this year, emerging as the Yankees’ workhorse during a season in which Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodón all missed time. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026

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
• racehorse
• remorse
• seahorse
• workforce

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