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Definition 2024


the_works

works

See also: -works

English

Noun

works

  1. plural of work

works pl (plural only)

  1. A mechanism or machine; the means by which something happens.
    A stray wrench can really gum up the works.
  2. A factory or factories, or similar collection(s) of buildings.
    The steel works almost fills the valley.
    • 1918, W. B. Maxwell, chapter 22, in The Mirror and the Lamp:
      In the autumn there was a row at some cement works about the unskilled labour men. A union had just been started for them and all but a few joined. One of these blacklegs was laid for by a picket and knocked out of time.
  3. (with "the") Everything or everything that is available or possible; especially, all available toppings on food.
    I'll have a Behemoth Burger with the works.
  4. (with "the") Drastic treatment; abuse; the axe (dismissal).
    Why did Constantinople get the works?

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

works

  1. third-person singular simple present indicative form of work

See also

Statistics

Most common English words before 1923: already · son · death · #304: works · perhaps · state · says