n. activity directed toward making or doing something; "she checked several points needing further work"

n. (physics) a manifestation of energy; the transfer of energy from one physical system to another expressed as the product of a force and the distance through which it moves a body in the direction of that force; "work equals force times distance"

n. acting in conformity; "in line with"; "he got out of line"; "toe the line"

n. something (as a cord or rope) that is long and thin and flexible; "a washing line"

n. a commercial organization serving as a common carrier

n. a mark that is long relative to its width; "He drew a line on the chart"

n. text consisting of a row of words written across a page or computer screen; "the letter consisted of three short lines"; "there are six lines in every stanza"

n. a formation of people or things one behind another; "the line stretched clear around the corner"; "you must wait in a long line at the checkout counter"

n. a formation of people or things one beside another; "the line of soldiers advanced with their bayonets fixed"; "they were arrayed in line of battle"; "the cast stood in line for the curtain call"

n. a spatial location defined by a real or imaginary unidimensional extent

n. a single frequency (or very narrow band) of radiation in a spectrum

n. a length (straight or curved) without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point

n. a place where work is done; "he arrived at work early today"

n. a product produced or accomplished through the effort or activity or agency of a person or thing; "it is not regarded as one of his more memorable works"; "the symphony was hailed as an ingenious work"; "he was indebted to the pioneering work of John Dewey"; "the work of an active imagination"; "erosion is the work of wind or water over time"

n. applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading); "mastering a second language requires a lot of work"; "no schools offer graduate study in interior design"

n. a pipe used to transport liquids or gases; "a pipeline runs from the wells to the seaport"

n. a connected series of events or actions or developments; "the government took a firm course"; "historians can only point out those lines for which evidence is available"

n. the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money; "he's not in my line of business"

n. a conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power

n. a conceptual separation or distinction; "there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity"

n. a short personal letter; "drop me a line when you get there"

n. a line of persons or things ranged one behind the other

n. a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence; "she was humming an air from Beethoven"

n. a slight depression in the smoothness of a surface; "his face has many lines"; "ironing gets rid of most wrinkles"

v. proceed towards a goal or along a path or through an activity; "work your way through every problem or task"; "She was working on her second martini when the guests arrived"; "Start from the bottom and work towards the top"

v. operate in a certain place, area, or specialty; "She works the night clubs"; "The salesman works the Midwest"; "This artist works mostly in acrylics"

v. reinforce with fabric; "lined books are more enduring"

v. mark with lines; "sorrow had lined his face"

v. to hit a line drive

v. give a workout to; "Some parents exercise their infants"; "My personal trainer works me hard"; "work one's muscles"

v. happen; "What is going on in the minds of the people?"

v. move in an agitated manner; "His fingers worked with tension"

v. cause to work; "he is working his servants hard"

v. be employed; "Is your husband working again?"; "My wife never worked"; "Do you want to work after the age of 60?"; "She never did any work because she inherited a lot of money"; "She works as a waitress to put herself through college"

v. exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity; "I will work hard to improve my grades"; "she worked hard for better living conditions for the poor"

v. have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected; "The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought"; "How does your idea work in practice?"; "This method doesn't work"; "The breaks of my new car act quickly"; "The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water"

v. fill plentifully; "line one's pockets"

v. cover the interior of; "line the gloves"; "line a chimney"

v. mark with lines; "sorrow had lined his face"

v. be in line with; form a line along; "trees line the riverbank"

v. as of dough or clay

v. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence; "I cannot work a miracle"; "wreak havoc"; "bring comments"; "play a joke"; "The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area"

v. shape, form, or improve a material; "work stone into tools"; "process iron"; "work the metal"

v. prepare for crops; "Work the soil"; "cultivate the land"

v. exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity; "I will work hard to improve my grades"; "she worked hard for better living conditions for the poor"

v. go across or through; "We passed the point where the police car had parked"; "A terrible thought went through his mind"

v. find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of; "did you solve the problem?"; "Work out your problems with the boss"; "this unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out"; "did you get it?"; "Did you get my meaning?"; "He could not work the math problem"

v. perform as expected when applied; "The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"; "Does this old car still run well?"; "This old radio doesn't work anymore"

n. use of physical or mental energy; hard work; "he got an A for effort"; "they managed only with great exertion"

n. a strong line

n. a lightweight cord

n. a fine cord of twisted fibers (of cotton or silk or wool or nylon etc.) used in sewing and weaving

n. a tightly stretched cord of wire or gut, which makes sound when plucked, struck, or bowed

n. a structure consisting of a room or set of rooms at a single position along a vertical scale; "what level is the office on?"

n. a marking of a different color or texture from the background

n. a slight depression in the smoothness of a surface; "his face has many lines"; "ironing gets rid of most wrinkles"

n. an electric railway operating below the surface of the ground (usually in a city); "in Paris the subway system is called the `metro' and in London it is called the `tube' or the `underground'"

n. a linear array of numbers one above another

n. a line of persons or things ranged one behind the other

n. a formation of people or things one beside another; "the line of soldiers advanced with their bayonets fixed"; "they were arrayed in line of battle"; "the cast stood in line for the curtain call"

n. a single frequency (or very narrow band) of radiation in a spectrum

n. the group action of a collection of people or animals or vehicles moving ahead in more or less regular formation; "processions were forbidden"

n. a line of people or vehicles waiting for something

n. letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on something

n. a signature that validates something; "the cashier would not cash the check without an endorsement"

n. a short account of the news; "the report of his speech"; "the story was on the 11 o'clock news"; "the account of his speech that was given on the evening news made the governor furious"

n. a line of (usually military) units following one after another

n. a linear array of numbers one above another

n. a line of persons or things ranged one behind the other

n. a mark that is long relative to its width; "He drew a line on the chart"

n. a single frequency (or very narrow band) of radiation in a spectrum

n. the group action of a collection of people or animals or vehicles moving ahead in more or less regular formation; "processions were forbidden"

n. a line of people or vehicles waiting for something

n. a track or mark left by something that has passed; "there as a trail of blood"; "a tear left its trail on her cheek"

n. position or manner in which something is situated

n. an adornment consisting of a strip of a contrasting color or material

n. a linear array of numbers one above another

n. a line of persons or things ranged one behind the other

n. a mark that is long relative to its width; "He drew a line on the chart"

n. a formation of people or things one beside another; "the line of soldiers advanced with their bayonets fixed"; "they were arrayed in line of battle"; "the cast stood in line for the curtain call"

n. the group action of a collection of people or animals or vehicles moving ahead in more or less regular formation; "processions were forbidden"

n. a line of people or vehicles waiting for something

n. the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise; "each industry has its own trade publications"

n. a musical work that has been created; "the composition is written in four movements"

n. conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases

n. a passageway through or under something, usually underground (especially one for trains or cars); "the tunnel reduced congestion at that intersection"

n. a developmental process; "the flowering of antebellum culture"

n. an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies"

n. a body of people doing the same kind of work

n. a restraint put around something to hold it together

n. anything that acts as a restraint

n. a very slender natural or synthetic fiber

n. an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow

n. a written message addressed to a person or organization; "mailed an indignant letter to the editor"

n. a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled; "he sent a three-word message"

n. a comment or instruction (usually added); "his notes were appended at the end of the article"; "he added a short notation to the address on the envelope"

n. a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another; "the entrance was guarded by ranks of policemen"

n. an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line; "a row of chairs"

n. a linear array of numbers one above another

n. a mark that is long relative to its width; "He drew a line on the chart"

n. a formation of people or things one beside another; "the line of soldiers advanced with their bayonets fixed"; "they were arrayed in line of battle"; "the cast stood in line for the curtain call"

n. a single frequency (or very narrow band) of radiation in a spectrum

n. the group action of a collection of people or animals or vehicles moving ahead in more or less regular formation; "processions were forbidden"

n. a short section of a musical composition

n. a theme that is elaborated on in a piece of music

n. a narrative song with a recurrent refrain

n. a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)

n. a short musical composition with words; "a successful musical must have at least three good songs"

n. the act of singing; "with a shout and a song they marched up to the gates"

n. an artifact that is heavy

n. a wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece

n. any load that is difficult to carry

n. an angular or rounded shape made by folding; "a fold in the napkin"; "a crease in his trousers"; "a plication on her blouse"; "a flexure of the colon"; "a bend of his elbow"

n. an irregular fold in an otherwise even surface (as in cloth)

n. a ridge on a corrugated surface

n. any of various types of fold formed by doubling fabric back upon itself and then pressing or stitching into shape

n. any long raised strip

n. the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made

n. a marking of a different color or texture from the background

n. something (as a cord or rope) that is long and thin and flexible; "a washing line"

n. a folded part (as in skin or muscle)

v. set (printed matter) into a specific format; "Format this letter so it can be printed out"

v. bring order to or into; "Order these files"

v. to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling); "The prisoner writhed in discomfort"; "The child tried to wriggle free from his aunt's embrace"

v. move in an agitated manner; "His fingers worked with tension"

v. to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling); "The prisoner writhed in discomfort"; "The child tried to wriggle free from his aunt's embrace"

v. give a workout to; "Some parents exercise their infants"; "My personal trainer works me hard"; "work one's muscles"

v. make a strenuous or labored effort; "She struggled for years to survive without welfare"; "He fought for breath"

v. attempt by employing effort; "we endeavor to make our customers happy"

v. to exert much effort or energy; "straining our ears to hear"

v. work hard; "She was digging away at her math homework"; "Lexicographers drudge all day long"

v. have a celebration; "They were feting the patriarch of the family"; "After the exam, the students were celebrating"

v. behave well or properly; "The children must learn to behave"

v. perform a function; "Who will perform the wedding?"

v. perform as expected when applied; "The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"; "Does this old car still run well?"; "This old radio doesn't work anymore"

v. behave in a certain manner; "She carried herself well"; "he bore himself with dignity"; "They conducted themselves well during these difficult times"

v. set (printed matter) into a specific format; "Format this letter so it can be printed out"

v. bring order to or into; "Order these files"

v. put into a proper or systematic order; "arrange the books on the shelves in chronological order"

v. place in proper rank; "marshal the troops"

v. take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of; "This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants"

v. impose something unpleasant; "The principal visited his rage on the students"

v. perform an act, usually with a negative connotation; "perpetrate a crime"; "pull a bank robbery"

v. act out; represent or perform as if in a play; "She reenacted what had happened earlier that day"

v. put to use; "exert one's power or influence"

v. make loose or looser; "loosen the tension on a rope"

v. to break and turn over earth especially with a plow; "Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week"; "turn the earth in the Spring"

v. prepare for crops; "Work the soil"; "cultivate the land"

v. make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc; "Get the children ready for school!"; "prepare for war"; "I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill"

v. reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; separate from extraneous matter or cleanse from impurities; "refine sugar"

v. to break and turn over earth especially with a plow; "Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week"; "turn the earth in the Spring"

v. shape, form, or improve a material; "work stone into tools"; "process iron"; "work the metal"

v. take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect; "His voice took on a sad tone"; "The story took a new turn"; "he adopted an air of superiority"; "She assumed strange manners"; "The gods assume human or animal form in these fables"

v. cause to grow and differentiate in ways conforming to its natural development; "The perfect climate here develops the grain"; "He developed a new kind of apple"

v. make visible by means of chemical solutions; "Please develop this roll of film for me"

v. raise from a barbaric to a civilized state; "The wild child found wandering in the forest was gradually civilized"

v. give suck to; "The wetnurse suckled the infant"; "You cannot nurse your baby in public in some places"

v. pass by; "three years elapsed"

v. pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life; "She died from cancer"; "They children perished in the fire"; "The patient went peacefully"; "The old guy kicked the bucket at the age of 102"

v. read with difficulty; "Can you decipher this letter?"; "The archeologist traced the hieroglyphs"

v. to become aware of through the senses; "I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon"

v. make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear; "Could you clarify these remarks?"; "Clear up the question of who is at fault"

v. behave well or properly; "The children must learn to behave"

v. be in charge of or deal with; "She takes care of all the necessary arrangements"

v. come to terms or deal successfully with; "We got by on just a gallon of gas"; "They made do on half a loaf of bread every day"

v. have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected; "The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought"; "How does your idea work in practice?"; "This method doesn't work"; "The breaks of my new car act quickly"; "The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water"

v. behave in a certain manner; "She carried herself well"; "he bore himself with dignity"; "They conducted themselves well during these difficult times"

v. perform a function; "Who will perform the wedding?"

v. stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point; "Service runs all the way to Cranbury"; "His knowledge doesn't go very far"; "My memory extends back to my fourth year of life"; "The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets"

v. plan, organize, and carry out (an event); "the neighboring tribe staged an invasion"

v. produce; "The scientists set up a shock wave"

v. cause to arise; "induce a crisis"

v. cause to happen, occur or exist; "This procedure produces a curious effect"; "The new law gave rise to many complaints"; "These chemicals produce a noxious vapor"; "the new President must bring about a change in the health care system"

v. summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic; "raise the specter of unemployment"; "he conjured wild birds in the air"; "call down the spirits from the mountain"

v. be successful; achieve a goal; "She succeeded in persuading us all"; "I managed to carry the box upstairs"; "She pulled it off, even though we never thought her capable of it"; "The pianist negociated the difficult runs"

v. summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic; "raise the specter of unemployment"; "he conjured wild birds in the air"; "call down the spirits from the mountain"

v. bypass; "He skipped a row in the text and so the sentence was incomprehensible"

v. pass by, over, or under without making contact; "the balloon cleared the tree tops"

v. make a mathematical calculation or computation

v. be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly; "These questions confuse even the experts"; "This question completely threw me"; "This question befuddled even the teacher"

v. be a success; "The idea panned out"

n. an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates; "scuba diving is provided as a diversion for tourists"; "for recreation he wrote poetry and solved crossword puzzles"; "drug abuse is often regarded as a form of recreation"

n. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; "it is my turn"; "it is still my play"

n. freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility); "took his repose by the swimming pool"

n. artifact consisting of a narrow flat piece of material

v. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space; "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"

v. manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination; "She played nervously with her wedding ring"; "Don't fiddle with the screws"; "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"

v. be idle; exist in a changeless situation; "The old man sat and stagnated on his porch"; "He slugged in bed all morning"

v. be lazy or idle; "Her son is just bumming around all day"

v. pull back or move away or backward; "The enemy withdrew"; "The limo pulled away from the curb"

v. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly; "The spotlights played on the politicians"

v. fail to function or function improperly; "the coffee maker malfunctioned"