Workplace

'wɜːrkpleɪs

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonLocation
1 meaning2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

1

A location, such as a building, office, factory, or site, where work is performed and employees carry out their jobs or duties.

'wɜːrkpleɪs

nounneutralBeginner
Location

A place where people are employed and perform their jobs.

She enjoys the collaborative atmosphere of her workplace.

💡 Simply: It's like your 'work home'! It's the place where you go every day (or most days) to do your job, like an office, a store, or even a construction site.

👶 For kids: The place where grown-ups go to work.

More Examples

2

The company is striving to create a safer workplace for all its employees.

3

He was injured at his workplace.

How It's Used

Business

"Companies are investing in improving the workplace environment to boost employee morale."

Law

"Workplace safety regulations are designed to protect employees from hazards."

Human Resources

"The company offers training on workplace ethics and diversity."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

back to the workplace

A return to working from the office or other physical location after a period of remote work.

"After the pandemic, many companies encouraged employees to go back to the workplace."

hostile workplace

A work environment characterized by harassment, discrimination, or intimidation that makes it difficult for an employee to do their job.

"The company was found to have created a hostile workplace due to widespread harassment."

From "work" + "place". The word originated in the late 19th century, reflecting the increasing industrialization and formalized employment structures.

The term gained prominence during the Industrial Revolution to describe the location of employment for the burgeoning workforce.

Memory tip

Think of the place where you go to do your work – that's your workplace!

Word Origin

LanguageOld English and Proto-Germanic
Original meaning

"The 'work' component stems from Old English 'weorc' and Proto-Germanic 'werką' (activity, labor). 'Place' refers to 'plac' and 'plaką' which are the physical space where work is performed."

safe workplacehostile workplaceimprove the workplacein the workplaceworkplace environment

Common misspellings

work placework-place

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written