workhouse

Meanings

Noun

a poorhouse where able-bodied poor are compelled to labor
a county jail that holds prisoners for periods up to 18 months
An institution for homeless poor people funded by the local parish, where the able-bodied were required to work.
A prison in which the sentence includes manual labour.
A place of manufacture; a factory.

Verb

To place (a person) in the workhouse (institution for the poor).

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English werkhous, from Old English weorchūs (“workshop, place of manufacture”), from Proto-Germanic *werkahūsą, equivalent to work + house.

Synonyms

bastille, poorhouse

Scrabble Score: 19

workhouse is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
workhouse is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
workhouse is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 19

workhouse is a valid Words With Friends word