workload

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The total amount of work that a person or system has to do in a given time.

   Grammar: Often used with 'a' or 'the'; can be plural: 'heavy workloads.'

   Patterns

   • a heavy workload
   • reduce someone's workload
   • manage a workload

   Teachers often complain about their heavy workload.

   The new software is designed to reduce the workload of office staff.

   She took on an extra project and her workload doubled.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountablecomputing

   The demand placed on a computer or network to process tasks.

   Grammar: In computing, often used without an article: 'The server cannot handle the workload.'

   Patterns

   • handle the workload
   • share the workload
   • increase the workload

   The cloud service balances the workload across several servers.

   When the workload spikes, the website may slow down.

Word forms

Common combinations

heavy workload

He has a heavy workload this semester.

reduce the workload

Hiring another assistant would reduce the workload.

share the workload

The team agreed to share the workload equally.

manage your workload

She uses a calendar to manage her workload.

workload increases

Workload increases during the holiday season.

Synonyms and how they differ

burden

Suggests a heavy or difficult load, often with a negative emotional tone; 'workload' is neutral and just states the amount.

caseload

Used for the number of cases a professional (like a social worker or lawyer) handles; 'workload' is broader.

Word family

work noun

General term for activity done to achieve a result; 'workload' is the amount of that work.

overwork verb

To work too much; related to having an excessive workload.

Commonly confused: workload or workload vs. work?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “workload”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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