workload

noun

work·​load ˈwərk-ˌlōd 

1

: the amount of work or of working time expected or assigned

students with a heavy workload

2

: the amount of work performed or capable of being performed (as by a mechanical device) usually within a specific period

Examples of workload in a Sentence

Students complained about the heavy workload.

Recent Examples on the Web

Other common complaints include staff shortages and exhausting workloads. — Nicolas Garriga, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026

Students cite rundown classrooms, staff shortages and heavy workloads, while the Education Ministry has opened an online portal for complaints and nearly 900 schools suspended classes. — Nicolas Garriga, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

As a leader, your decisions about assignments, development, feedback and workload can help that person build a career. — Bala Sathyanarayanan, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Replacement windows with insulating features can help reduce heat transfer, potentially improving comfort and reducing the workload on heating and cooling systems. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for workload

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• crossroad

Kids Definition

workload

noun

work·​load ˈwərk-ˌlōd 

1

: the amount of work or of working time expected or assigned

students with a heavy workload

2

: the amount of work performed or capable of being performed usually within a specific period

a machine's workload