workload

noun

work·​load ˈwərk-ˌlōd How to pronounce workload (audio)
Synonyms of workloadnext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Complex itineraries, repeat bookings and loyalty programs give agents a steady workload, which is why industry leaders are embedding them into their core products rather than treating them as side experiments. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026 Searching for solutions In addition to the workload, at the core of the special education teacher shortage are pay and the sheer number of qualified people. — Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026 Deals to secure smaller allocations of compute allow companies to deploy workloads faster. — Ashley Capoot,jordan Novet,annie Palmer,lora Kolodny,kai Nicol-Schwarz,caleigh Keating, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 So OpenAI decided to trim the sails, cut fat, and really focus on coding and long-horizon agentic workloads. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for workload

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of workload was in 1899

Rhymes for workload

See All Rhymes for workload

Browse Nearby Words

work like magic
workload
work magic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Workload.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workload. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

workload

noun
work·​load ˈwərk-ˌlōd How to pronounce workload (audio)
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

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