ENGLISH
REFERENCE

workforce

n.
US //ˈwɝkˌfɔɹs// UK //wˈɜːkfɔːs// work·force
  1. 1 company employees (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    all the people who work for a particular company or organization.

    the total number of people employed by a specific firm, institution, or project.

    Example

    The company plans to reduce its workforce by ten percent next year.

    Example

    The manufacturing plant maintains a highly skilled workforce of over five hundred technicians and engineers.
  2. 2 national labor pool (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    all the people in a country or area who are able to work.

    the total population of a country or region that is currently employed or seeking employment.

    Example

    A large part of the country's workforce is now employed in the technology sector.

    Example

    Economists are concerned that an aging population will lead to a significant shrinking of the national workforce over the next decade.

    Usage

    Often used with the definite article 'the'.
Origin

From work + force.

Word family

© 2026 English Reference