activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result

he was tired after a day's work

work is still going on in fitting out a new store

a task or tasks to be undertaken

they made sure the work was progressing smoothly

a thing or things done or made; the result of an action

her work hangs in all the main American collections

the bombing had been the work of a German-based cell

a place or premises in which industrial or manufacturing processes are carried out

he found a job in the locomotive works

the operative part of a clock or other machine

she could almost hear the tick of its works

a defensive structure

just north of the fort were trenches and the freshly reconstructed patriot siege works

the exertion of force overcoming resistance or producing molecular change

everything needed, desired, or expected

the heavens put on a show: sheet lightning, hailstones, the works

be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a result; do work

she has been working so hard

an engineer who was working on a design for a more efficient wing

new contracts force employees to work longer hours

(of a machine or system) function, especially properly or effectively

his phone doesn't work unless he goes to a high point

(of a plan or method) have the desired result or effect

the desperate ploy had worked

bring (a material or mixture) to a desired shape or consistency by hammering, kneading, etc.

work the mixture into a paste with your hands

move or cause to move gradually or with difficulty into another position

comb hair from tip to root, working out the knots at the end

look for small parts that might work loose

bring into a specified emotional state

Harold had worked himself into a minor rage

Especially of a woman: to dance with rhythmic gyratory movements of the hips and pelvis; to move the waist, hips, etc., with a circling motion. Also with object with a part of the body as object. Often with up. Compare "wind", "wine".