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.
Better circuit throughput also means that Nighthawk can run more workloads within the same allocation, a major win for researchers. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026 That means workloads need to run on a wider variety of chips such as central processing units (CPUs), instead of relying solely on general-purpose workhorse graphics processing units (GPUs). — Isabel O'Brien,katie Tarasov, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 This principle was later expanded to users, devices, workloads and access. — Ken Ammon, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Case managers for people who are unhoused will now have to double their workload to ensure their clients stay enrolled in Medicaid. — Abdullah Shihipar, STAT, 1 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on workload

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for workload

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