Word
workhouse
Phoneticswork·house
UK/wˈɜːkhaʊs/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a building where poor people were forced to live and work in exchange for food and shelter. It was common in the past, especially in the UK, for people who had no money.
n. an institution providing shelter and employment for the poor, typically in a highly regulated and punitive environment. Historically associated with the English Poor Law system of the 19th century.
Examples
“The poor were sent to the workhouse to survive.”
“In Victorian England, families who could not pay their rent were often forced to live in the workhouse.”
“The novel explores the harsh realities of the workhouse, where the impoverished were subjected to grueling labor and strict discipline in exchange for minimal sustenance.”
Examples
simple
“The poor were sent to the workhouse to survive.”
contextual
“In Victorian England, families who could not pay their rent were often forced to live in the workhouse.”
complex
“The novel explores the harsh realities of the workhouse, where the impoverished were subjected to grueling labor and strict discipline in exchange for minimal sustenance.”
Real-World Examples
“They were once a prison, a workhouse and a hospital; their functions today – a homeless shelter, a young offender institution and, until recently, a job centre – are not so different.” “A Rev Theodore Williams, in his capacity as a magistrate and chair of the local board of guardians responsible for overseeing the conduct of Hendon’s old workhouse, recommended a punishment for her “disgusting conduct”.” Etymology
From Middle English werkhous, from Old English weorchūs (“workshop, place of manufacture”), from Proto-Germanic *werkahūsą, equivalent to work + house.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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