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