work

verb

\ ˈwərk

worked\ ˈwərkt

\ or wrought\ ˈrȯt

\; working

Definition of work

(Entry 1 of 3)

intransitive verb

1a : to perform work or fulfill duties regularly for wages or salary works in publishing

b : to perform or carry through a task requiring sustained effort or continuous repeated operations worked all day over a hot stove

c : to exert oneself physically or mentally especially in sustained effort for a purpose or under compulsion or necessity

2 : to function or operate according to plan or design hinges work better with oil

3 : to produce a desired effect or result : succeed a plan that will work

4 : to exert an influence or tendency

5a : to make way slowly and with difficulty : move or progress laboriously worked up to the presidency

b : to sail to windward

6a : to move slightly in relation to another part

b : to get into a specified condition by slow or imperceptible movements the knot worked loose

c : to be in agitation or restless motion

d : ferment sense 1

7 : to permit of being worked : react in a specified way to being worked this wood works easily

transitive verb

1 : to set or keep in motion, operation, or activity : cause to operate or produce a pump worked by hand work farmland

2 : to bring to pass : effect work miracles

3 : to solve (a problem) by reasoning or calculation —often used with out

4a : to cause to toil or labor worked their horses nearly to death

b : to make use of : exploit

c : to control or guide the operation of switches are worked from a central tower

5a : to carry on an operation or perform a job through, at, in, or along the peddler worked the corner a sportscaster hired to work the game

b : to greet and talk with in a friendly way in order to ingratiate oneself or achieve a purpose politicians working the crowd worked the room

6 : to pay for or achieve with labor or service worked my way through college worked my way up in the company

7a : to prepare for use by stirring or kneading

b : to bring into a desired form by a gradual process of cutting, hammering, scraping, pressing, or stretching work cold steel

8a : to fashion or create a useful or desired product by expending labor or exertion on : forge, shape work flint into tools

b : to make or decorate with needlework especially : embroider

9a : to get (oneself or an object) into or out of a condition or position by gradual stages

b : contrive, arrange we can work it so that you can take your vacation

10a : excite, provoke worked myself into a rage

b : to practice trickery or cajolery on for some end worked the management for a free ticket

work on

1 : affect worked on my sympathies

2 : to strive to influence or persuade

work upon

: to have effect upon : operate on

work

noun

Definition of work (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something:

a : activity that a person engages in regularly to earn a livelihood people looking for work

b : a specific task, duty, function, or assignment often being a part or phase of some larger activity

c : sustained physical or mental effort to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or result

2 : one's place of employment didn't go to work today

3a : something produced or accomplished by effort, exertion, or exercise of skill this book is the work of many hands

b : something produced by the exercise of creative talent or expenditure of creative effort : artistic production an early work by a major writer

4a : something that results from a particular manner or method of working, operating, or devising careful police work clever camera work

b : something that results from the use or fashioning of a particular material porcelain work

5a works plural : structures in engineering (such as docks, bridges, or embankments) or mining (such as shafts or tunnels)

b : a fortified structure (such as a fort, earthen barricade, or trench)

6 works plural in form but singular or plural in construction : a place where industrial labor is carried on : plant, factory

7 works plural : the working or moving parts of a mechanism the works of a clock

8 works plural

a : everything possessed, available, or belonging the whole works, rod, reel, tackle box, went overboard ordered pizza with the works

b : subjection to drastic treatment : all possible abuse —usually used with get or give get the worksgave them the works

9a : the transference of energy that is produced by the motion of the point of application of a force and is measured by multiplying the force and the displacement of its point of application in the line of action

b : energy expended by natural phenomena

c : the result of such energy sand dunes are the work of sea and wind

10a : effective operation : effect, result wait for time to do its healing work

b : manner of working : workmanship, execution

11 works plural : performance of moral or religious acts salvation by works

12 : the material or piece of material that is operated upon at any stage in the process of manufacture

at work

1 : engaged in working : busy especially : engaged in one's regular occupation

2 : having effect : operating, functioning

in the works

: in process of preparation, development, or completion

in work

1 : in process of being done

2 of a horse : in training

out of work

: without regular employment : jobless

work

Definition of work

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