Workhouse

Pronunciation: /wɜːrk.haʊs/

Definitions of workhouse

noun a public institution in which the destitute of a parish received board and lodging in return for work

Example Sentences

A1 The workhouse provided shelter for those in need.

A2 In the past, workhouses were common for the poor and homeless.

B1 The workhouse system was established to provide relief for the destitute.

B2 The conditions in the workhouse were often harsh and degrading.

C1 The workhouse reform movement aimed to improve living conditions for the poor.

C2 Historians have debated the effectiveness of the workhouse system in addressing poverty.

Examples of workhouse in a Sentence

formal During the Victorian era, many impoverished individuals were forced to seek refuge in the workhouse.

informal My great-grandmother used to tell stories about how tough life was in the workhouse.

slang I heard that place is like a total workhouse, you'll be working non-stop!

figurative Being stuck in this dead-end job feels like being trapped in a workhouse.

Grammatical Forms of workhouse

• past tense: worked
• plural: workhouses
• comparative: more workhouse
• superlative: most workhouse
• present tense: workhouse
• future tense: will workhouse
• perfect tense: have worked
• continuous tense: is workhousing
• singular: workhouse
• positive degree: workhouse
• infinitive: to workhouse
• gerund: workhousing
• participle: working

Origin and Evolution of workhouse

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The word 'workhouse' originated from the combination of 'work' and 'house', referring to a place where the poor and destitute were provided with work in exchange for food and shelter.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the meaning of 'workhouse' shifted from a place for the poor to a place where able-bodied individuals were sent to perform hard labor as punishment or rehabilitation.