workup

1 of 3

noun (1)

work·up ˈwərk-ˌəp

Synonyms of workup

: an intensive diagnostic study especially for medical purposes

work-up

2 of 3

noun (2)

ˈwərk-ˌəp

: an unintended mark on a printed sheet caused by the rising of spacing material

work up

3 of 3

verb

worked up; working up; works up

transitive verb

: to stir up : rouse

: to produce by mental or physical work

worked up a comedy act

worked up a sweat in the gym

intransitive verb

: to rise gradually in intensity or emotional tone

Examples of workup in a Sentence

Verb spent years working up a period novel that was historically accurate in every detail

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.

Noun

From there, the workup depends on what a doctor finds. — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 25 June 2026 As part of their workup, doctors ran a CT scan. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 13 June 2026

Noun

Good posture and footwork to slide, secure and climb on work-up blocks. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024 Some mental health professionals called for a cognitive work-up, citing lack of impulse control and other signs of decline. — Dallas News, 16 Feb. 2023

Verb

These surveys drop a lot of hard, time-consuming work up front. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026 Some have already talked to a parent; others are working up the nerve. — Carolyn O'Laughlin, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for workup

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1939, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1903, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of workup was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

work train

workup

work-up

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Workup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workup. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

work up

verb

: to stir up

worked up support for the project

: to produce by mental or physical work

worked up a sweat at the gym

Medical Definition

workup

1 of 2 noun

work·up ˈwər-ˌkəp

: an intensive diagnostic study

a gastrointestinal workup

a psychiatric workup

work up

2 of 2 transitive verb

ˌwər-ˈkəp, ˈwər-

: to perform a diagnostic workup upon

work up a patient

workup

noun (1)

noun (2)

verb

Synonyms of workup

Examples of workup in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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