Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. Something, such as a machine, that performs dependably under heavy or prolonged use: "the 50-year-old DC-3 ... one of aviation's most effective workhorses” ( Christian Science Monitor).
- n. A horse that is used for labor rather than for racing or riding.
- n. Informal A person who works tirelessly, especially at difficult or time-consuming tasks.
Wiktionary
- n. A horse used primarily for work; a draft horse
- n. by extension Anyone or anything that does a lot of work; one who works consistently or regularly.
WordNet 3.0
- n. a horse used for plowing and hauling and other heavy labor
- n. machine that performs dependably under heavy use
Etymologies
- work + horse (Wiktionary)
Examples
“Even through all the aches and pains, Buehrle has made a mockery of the term workhorse starting pitcher.”
“This is also the first major gig I've been using my Line6 Variax® as the main workhorse of the show.”
“The Chinook, the Army's workhorse, is designed to transport troops and supplies to combat and other regions.”
“UConn's workhorse is TB Donald Brown, the conference rushing leader.”
Weekend Preview: Run for the Rose Bowl starts in the Big Ten
“GA is the main workhorse of stats (although I liked the previous version better) and Enquisite which gives me some very detailed information into how and what people are reaching via the various and sundry search engines.”
“Making frequent mention of his Washington experience, Capuano described himself during a recent campaign stop as a "workhorse" - someone willing to work behind closed doors and compromise to accomplish tasks.”
“Humvee -- Officially known as the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), this is the military's main workhorse.”
“Jim Balsillie, RIM's co-chief executive, said carriers 'heavy holiday promotions were continuing into the spring and attracting consumers to a device once known as the workhorse of financial executives.”
The Wall Street Journal: RIM Net Rises on Strong Sales of BlackBerry
“It's often described as the workhorse of short and medium haul aviation.”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘workhorse’.
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horses
everything horses
horse, bay, bloodhorse, bloodstock, bolter, broncho, bronco, brumby, bucker, buckjumper, cob, cocktail and 200 more...
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WF - nominal compounds (figurative)
An extensive list I have been working on for quite some time. Feel free to add more of the kind if you miss any.
brainstorming, upside, downside, goldplating, bikeshedding, mudslinging, downgrading, headhunter, streamlining, mainstreaming, gerrymandering, frontloading and 503 more...
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Maids
Maids of all stripes.
twait-shad, chambermaid, demoiselle, fille de chambre, housemaid, amah, lady's maid, femme-de-chambre, tire-woman, soubrette, comb-brush, abigail and 80 more...
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slumry's Words
cattywampus, ingratiate, lackadaisical, exactitude, exfoliate, fulminate, circumnavigation, circuitous, debride, sidle, sequester, chicory and 1002 more...
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That's right, another list
muck-a-muck, ipse dixit, solipsism, anticlinal, analogical, amoral, alogical, synclinal, disinclined, iconological, studly, flitch and 179 more...
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Words that kick serious ass
juggernaut, haymaker, gung-ho, frag, smite, blunderbuss, gargantuan, ragnarok, ripsnorter, herculean, silverback, firebrand and 127 more...
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WordWorks
artwork, brainworker, brickwork, bridgework, brushwork, casework, clockwork, counterwork, coursework, craftwork, deadworks, deskwork and 68 more...
Tweets
Looking for tweets for workhorse.
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