Work vs. Power — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 20, 2023
Work is the energy transferred to an object when a force moves it over a distance. Power is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred, usually measured in Watts.
Difference Between Work and Power
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Work is a measure of energy transfer when a force moves an object over some distance. Power, on the other hand, measures how quickly that work is done or energy is transferred.
In physics, work has units of Joules, and it can be either positive or negative depending on the direction of the force and motion. Power is typically measured in Watts, a derived unit equivalent to a Joule per second. Work is a scalar quantity, meaning it has magnitude but no direction. Power is also a scalar but focuses on the rate of energy transfer or work done.
It's worth noting that while work requires a force to be applied over a distance, power demands a temporal component—it’s work done per unit of time. Work can be accumulated over an indefinite period, but power gives an immediate snapshot of how efficiently work is being done at any given moment.
Cost is often a practical consideration when discussing work and power in everyday contexts, like electricity bills. Work might refer to the total energy consumed by a household over a month, while power would be the rate at which the household is currently using energy. Typically, electric companies charge based on the total work (energy consumed), but high power usage at peak times can also affect costs.
Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
Energy transferred
Rate of work done
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Formula
W=F×d
P=w/t
Units
Joules
Watts
Scalar or Vector
Scalar
Scalar
Temporal Component
No
Yes
Compare with Definitions
Work
The product of force and the distance over which the force is applied.
The work done in pulling a cart depends on both force and distance.
Power
The rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.
The power output of the generator was 500 Watts.
Work
Physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something
Cleaning the basement was a lot of work.
Power
A derived unit representing Joules per second.
A single light bulb uses 60 Watts of power.
Work
Such effort or activity by which one makes a living; employment
Looking for work.
Power
The ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way
His powers of concentration
The power of speech
I will do everything in my power to help you
Work
A trade, profession, or other means of livelihood
His work is fixing cars.
Power
The capacity or ability to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events
She had me in her power
A political process that offers people power over their own lives
Work
The part of a day devoted to an occupation or undertaking
Met her after work.
Power
Physical strength and force exerted by something or someone
The lyrical power of his prose
The power of the storm
Work
One's place of employment
Should I call you at home or at work?.
Power
Energy that is produced by mechanical, electrical, or other means and used to operate a device
Generating power from waste
Power cables
Work
Something that one is doing, making, or performing, especially as an occupation or undertaking; a duty or task
Begin the day's work.
Power
The rate of doing work, measured in watts or less frequently horse power.
Work
An amount of such activity either done or required
A week's work.
Power
The product obtained when a number is multiplied by itself a certain number of times
2 to the power of 4 equals 16
Work
The action or effect of an agency
The antibiotic seems to be doing its work.
Power
A large number or amount of something
There's a power of difference between farming now and when I was a lad
Work
Something that has been produced or accomplished through the effort, activity, or agency of a person or thing
This scheme was the work of a criminal mastermind. Erosion is the work of wind, water, and time.
Power
Supply (a device) with mechanical or electrical energy
A nuclear-powered submarine
The car is powered by a fuel-injected 3.0-litre engine
Work
An act; a deed
"I have seen all the works that are done under the sun.
And, behold, all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
Power
Move or travel with great speed or force
He powered round a bend
Work
An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, or literary or musical composition, or a creative result of other human activity
An early work of Matisse.
A scholarly work of great importance.
Power
The ability or capacity to act or do something effectively
Is it in your power to undo this injustice?.
Work
Works The output of a writer, artist, or composer considered or collected as a whole
The works of Bach.
Power
Often powers A specific capacity, faculty, or aptitude
Her powers of concentration.
Work
Works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams.
Power
Physical strength or force exerted or capable of being exerted
The power of the waves.
Work
A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress.
Power
Effectiveness at moving one's emotions or changing how one thinks
A novel of great power.
Work
Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
Power
The ability or official capacity to exercise control; authority
How long has that party been in power?.
Work
A piece of such textile art.
Power
The military strength or economic or political influence of a nation or other group
That country projects its power throughout the region.
Work
A material or piece of material being processed in a machine during manufacture
Work to be turned in the lathe.
Power
A country, nation, or other political unit having great influence or control over others
The western powers.
Work
Works (used with a sing. or pl. verb) A factory, plant, or similar building or complex of buildings where a specific type of business or industry is carried on. Often used in combination
A steelworks.
Power
A supernatural being
The powers of evil.
Work
Works Internal mechanism
The works of a watch.
Power
Powers(Christianity) The sixth of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology.
Work
The manner, style, or quality of working or treatment; workmanship.
Power
The energy or motive force by which a physical system or machine is operated
Turbines turned by steam power.
A sailing ship driven by wind power.
Work
Abbr. w(Physics) The transfer of energy from one physical system to another, especially the application of a force to move a body in a certain direction. It is calculated as the product of the force and the distance over which it is applied and is expressed in joules, ergs, and foot-pounds.
Power
The capacity of a system or machine to operate
A vehicle that runs under its own power.
Work
Works Moral or righteous acts or deeds
Salvation by faith rather than works.
Power
Electrical or mechanical energy, especially as used to assist or replace human energy.
Work
(Informal) The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the
Ordered a pizza with the works.
Power
Electricity supplied to a home, building, or community
A storm that cut off power to the whole region.
Work
(Slang) A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the
Took him outside and gave him the works.
Power
(Physics) The rate at which work is done, expressed as the amount of work per unit time and commonly measured in units such as the watt and horsepower.
Work
Of, relating to, designed for, or engaged in work.
Power
The product of applied potential difference and current in a direct-current circuit.
Work
To exert oneself physically or mentally in order to do, make, or accomplish something.
Power
The product of the effective values of the voltage and current with the cosine of the phase angle between current and voltage in an alternating-current circuit.
Work
To be employed; have a job.
Power
See exponent.
Work
To function; operate
How does this latch work?.
Power
The number of elements in a finite set.
Work
To function or operate in the desired or required way
The telephone hasn't worked since the thunderstorm.
Power
(Statistics) In a statistical test, the probability of correctly rejecting the null hypothesis when it is false.
Work
To have a given effect or outcome
Our friendship works best when we speak our minds.
Power
A measure of the magnification of an optical instrument, such as a microscope or telescope.
Work
To have the desired effect or outcome; prove successful
This recipe seems to work.
Power
Chiefly Upper Southern US A large number or amount. See Note at powerful.
Work
To exert an influence. Used with on or upon
Worked on her to join the group.
Power
(Archaic) An armed force.
Work
To arrive at a specified condition through gradual or repeated movement
The stitches worked loose.
Power
Of or relating to political, social, or economic control
A power struggle.
A power base.
Work
To proceed or progress slowly and laboriously
Worked through the underbrush.
Worked through my problems in therapy.
Power
Operated with mechanical or electrical energy in place of bodily exertion
A power tool.
Power car windows.
Work
To move in an agitated manner, as with emotion
Her mouth worked with fear.
Power
Of or relating to the generation or transmission of electricity
Power companies.
Power lines.
Work
To behave in a specified way when handled or processed
Not all metals work easily.
Power
(Informal) Of or relating to influential business or professional practices
A pinstriped suit with a power tie.
Met with high-level executives at a power breakfast.
Work
To ferment.
Power
To supply with power, especially mechanical or electrical power.
Work
To strain in heavy seas so that the joints give slightly and the fastenings become slack. Used of a boat or ship.
Power
The ability to do or undergo something.
Work
To sail against the wind.
Power
(social) The ability to coerce, influence, or control.
Work
To undergo small motions that result in friction and wear
The gears work against each other.
Power
(countable) The ability to affect or influence.
Work
To cause or effect; bring about
Working miracles.
Power
Control or coercion, particularly legal or political (jurisdiction).
Work
To cause to operate or function; actuate, use, or manage
Worked the controls.
Can work a lathe.
Power
The people in charge of legal or political power, the government.
Work
To shape or forge
"Each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor" (Edgar Allan Poe).
Power
(metonymically) An influential nation, company, or other such body.
Work
To make or decorate by needlework
Work a sampler.
Power
An army, a military force.
Work
To solve (a problem) by calculation and reasoning.
Power
Effectiveness.
Work
To knead, stir, or otherwise manipulate in preparation
Work the dough before shaping it.
Power
Physical force or strength.
He needed a lot of power to hit the ball out of the stadium.
Work
To bring to a specified condition by gradual or repeated effort or work
Finally worked the window open.
Worked the slaves to death.
Power
Electricity or a supply of electricity.
After the pylons collapsed, this town was without power for a few days.
Work
To make, achieve, or pay for by work or effort
Worked her way to the top.
Worked his passage on the ship.
Power
A measure of the rate of doing work or transferring energy.
Work
(Informal) To arrange or contrive. Often used with it
Worked it so that her weekends are free.
Power
The strength by which a lens or mirror magnifies an optical image.
We need a microscope with higher power.
Work
To make productive; cultivate
Work a farm.
Power
A large amount or number.
Work
To cause to work
Works his laborers hard.
Power
Any of the elementary forms or parts of machines: three primary (the lever, inclined plane, and pulley) and three secondary (the wheel-and-axle, wedge, and screw).
The mechanical powers
Work
To excite or provoke
Worked the mob into a frenzy.
Power
A measure of the effectiveness that a force producing a physical effect has over time. If linear, the quotient of: (force multiplied by the displacement of or in an object) ÷ time. If rotational, the quotient of: (force multiplied by the angle of displacement) ÷ time.
Work
To gratify, cajole, or enchant artfully, especially for the purpose of influencing
The politician worked the crowd. The comedian worked the room with flawless rhythm.
Power
(mathematics)
Work
To use or manipulate to one's own advantage; exploit
Learned how to work the system.
Worked his relatives for sympathy.
Power
A product of equal factors (and generalizations of this notion): , read as " to the power of " or the like, is called a power and denotes the product , where appears times in the product; is called the base and the exponent.
Work
To carry on an operation or function in or through
The agent who works that area.
Working the phones for donations.
Power
(set theory) Cardinality.
Work
To ferment (liquor, for example).
Power
(statistics) The probability that a statistical test will reject the null hypothesis when the alternative hypothesis is true.
Work
Employment.
Power
In Christian angelology, an intermediate level of angels, ranked above archangels, but exact position varies by classification scheme.
Work
Labour, occupation, job.
My work involves a lot of travel.
Power
(transitive) To provide power for (a mechanical or electronic device).
This CD player is powered by batteries.
Work
The place where one is employed.
He hasn’t come home yet; he’s still at work.
Power
(transitive) To hit or kick something forcefully.
Work
(by extension) One's employer.
I want to go to the reunion concert, but I'm not sure if my work will give me the time off.
Power
To enable or provide the impetus for.
Work
(dated) A factory; a works.
Power
Impressive.
Work
Effort.
Power
Same as Poor, the fish.
Work
Effort expended on a particular task.
Holding a brick over your head is hard work. It takes a lot of work to write a dictionary.
Power
Ability to act, regarded as latent or inherent; the faculty of doing or performing something; capacity for action or performance; capability of producing an effect, whether physical or moral: potency; might; as, a man of great power; the power of capillary attraction; money gives power.
Work
Sustained human effort to overcome obstacles and achieve a result.
We know what we must do. Let's go to work.
We don't have much time. Let's get to work piling up those sandbags.
Power
Ability, regarded as put forth or exerted; strength, force, or energy in action; as, the power of steam in moving an engine; the power of truth, or of argument, in producing conviction; the power of enthusiasm.
Work
Something on which effort is expended.
There's lots of work waiting for me at the office.
Power
Capacity of undergoing or suffering; fitness to be acted upon; susceptibility; - called also passive power; as, great power of endurance.
Power, then, is active and passive; faculty is active power or capacity; capacity is passive power.
Work
(physics) A measure of energy expended in moving an object; most commonly, force times distance. No work is done if the object does not move.
Work is done against friction to drag a bag along the ground.
Power
The exercise of a faculty; the employment of strength; the exercise of any kind of control; influence; dominion; sway; command; government.
Power is no blessing in itself but when it is employed to protect the innocent.
Work
A measure of energy that is usefully extracted from a process.
Power
The agent exercising an ability to act; an individual invested with authority; an institution, or government, which exercises control; as, the great powers of Europe; hence, often, a superhuman agent; a spirit; a divinity.
And the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
Work
(heading) Product; the result of effort.
Power
A military or naval force; an army or navy; a great host.
Never such a power . . . Was levied in the body of a land.
Work
The result of a particular manner of production.
There's a lot of guesswork involved.
Power
A large quantity; a great number; as, a power o good things.
Work
Something produced using the specified material or tool.
We've got some paperwork to do before we can get started. The piece was decorated with intricate filigree work.
Power
The rate at which mechanical energy is exerted or mechanical work performed, as by an engine or other machine, or an animal, working continuously; as, an engine of twenty horse power.
Work
(countable) A literary, artistic, or intellectual production.
It is a work of art.
The poetic works of Alexander Pope
Power
A mechanical agent; that from which useful mechanical energy is derived; as, water power; steam power; hand power, etc.
Work
(countable) A fortification.
William the Conqueror fortified many castles, throwing up new ramparts, bastions and all manner of works.
Power
The product arising from the multiplication of a number into itself; as, a square is the second power, and a cube is third power, of a number.
Work
The staging of events to appear as real.
Power
A machine acted upon by an animal, and serving as a motor to drive other machinery; as, a dog power.
Work
(mining) Ore before it is dressed.
Power
Mental or moral ability to act; one of the faculties which are possessed by the mind or soul; as, the power of thinking, reasoning, judging, willing, fearing, hoping, etc.
The guiltiness of my mind, the sudden surprise of my powers, drove the grossness . . . into a received belief.
Work
The equipment needed to inject a drug (syringes, needles, swabs etc.)
Tell me you're using clean works at least.
Power
The degree to which a lens, mirror, or any optical instrument, magnifies; in the telescope, and usually in the microscope, the number of times it multiplies, or augments, the apparent diameter of an object; sometimes, in microscopes, the number of times it multiplies the apparent surface.
Work
(intransitive) To do a specific task by employing physical or mental powers.
He’s working in a bar.
Power
An authority enabling a person to dispose of an interest vested either in himself or in another person; ownership by appointment.
Work
Followed by in (or at, etc.) Said of one's workplace (building), or one's department, or one's trade (sphere of business).
I work in a national park
She works in the human resources department
He mostly works in logging, but sometimes works in carpentry
Power
Hence, vested authority to act in a given case; as, the business was referred to a committee with power.
Work
Followed by as. Said of one's job title
I work as a cleaner.
Power
Possession of controlling influence;
The deterrent power of nuclear weapons
The power of his love saved her
His powerfulness was concealed by a gentle facade
Work
Followed by for. Said of a company or individual who employs.
She works for Microsoft
He works for the president
Power
(physics) the rate of doing work; measured in watts (= joules/second)
Work
Followed by with. General use, said of either fellow employees or instruments or clients.
I work closely with my Canadian counterparts
You work with computers
She works with the homeless people from the suburbs
Power
Possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done;
Danger heightened his powers of discrimination
Work
(intransitive) To effect by gradual degrees;
To work into the earth
Power
A state powerful enough to influence events throughout the world
Work
(transitive) To effect by gradual degrees.
He worked his way through the crowd
The dye worked its way through
Using some tweezers, she worked the bee sting out of her hand
Power
(of a government or government official) holding an office means being in power;
Being in office already gives a candidate a great advantage
During his first year in office
During his first year in power
The power of the president
Work
(transitive) To embroider with thread.
Power
One possessing or exercising power or influence or authority;
The mysterious presence of an evil power
May the force be with you
The forces of evil
Work
(transitive) To set into action.
He worked the levers.
Power
Physical strength
Work
(transitive) To cause to ferment.
Power
A mathematical notation indicating the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself
Work
(intransitive) To ferment.
Power
A very wealthy or powerful businessman;
An oil baron
Work
(transitive) To exhaust, by working.
The mine was worked until the last scrap of ore had been extracted.
Power
Supply the force or power for the functioning of;
The gasoline powers the engines
Work
(transitive) To shape, form, or improve a material.
He used pliers to work the wire into shape.
Power
A scalar quantity that measures how quickly energy moves.
Power is essential in determining the efficiency of machines.
Work
(transitive) To operate in a certain place, area, or speciality.
She works the night clubs
The salesman works the Midwest
Power
Work done per unit of time, usually measured in Watts.
The fan has a power rating of 75 Watts.
Work
(transitive) To operate in or through; as, to work the phones.
Power
The temporal aspect of work, indicating efficiency.
His physical power enabled him to do the work quickly.
Work
(transitive) To provoke or excite; to influence.
The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy.
Work
(transitive) To use or manipulate to one’s advantage.
She knows how to work the system.
Work
To cause to happen or to occur as a consequence.
I cannot work a miracle.
Work
(transitive) To cause to work.
He is working his servants hard.
Work
(intransitive) To function correctly; to act as intended; to achieve the goal designed for.
He pointed at the car and asked, "Does it work"?;
He looked at the bottle of pain pills, wondering if they would work;
My plan didn’t work
Work
To influence.
They worked on her to join the group.
Work
(intransitive) To move in an agitated manner.
His fingers worked with tension.
A ship works in a heavy sea.
Work
(intransitive) To behave in a certain way when handled
This dough does not work easily;
The soft metal works well
Work
To cause (someone) to feel (something); to do unto somebody (something, whether good or bad).
Work
To hurt; to ache.
Work
To pull off; to wear, perform, etc. successfully or to advantage.
I would never have thought those pieces would go together, but she is working it like nobody's business.
Work
Exertion of strength or faculties; physical or intellectual effort directed to an end; industrial activity; toil; employment; sometimes, specifically, physical labor.
Man hath his daily work of body or mindAppointed.
Work
The matter on which one is at work; that upon which one spends labor; material for working upon; subject of exertion; the thing occupying one; business; duty; as, to take up one's work; to drop one's work.
Come on, Nerissa; I have work in handThat you yet know not of.
In every work that he began . . . he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
Work
That which is produced as the result of labor; anything accomplished by exertion or toil; product; performance; fabric; manufacture; in a more general sense, act, deed, service, effect, result, achievement, feat.
To leave no rubs or blotches in the work.
The work some praise,And some the architect.
Fancy . . . Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams.
The composition or dissolution of mixed bodies . . . is the chief work of elements.
Work
Specifically: (a) That which is produced by mental labor; a composition; a book; as, a work, or the works, of Addison. (b) Flowers, figures, or the like, wrought with the needle; embroidery.
I am glad I have found this napkin; . . . I'll have the work ta'en out,And give 't Iago.
Work
Structures in civil, military, or naval engineering, as docks, bridges, embankments, trenches, fortifications, and the like; also, the structures and grounds of a manufacturing establishment; as, iron works; locomotive works; gas works.
Work
Manner of working; management; treatment; as, unskillful work spoiled the effect.
Work
The causing of motion against a resisting force. The amount of work is proportioned to, and is measured by, the product of the force into the amount of motion along the direction of the force. See Conservation of energy, under Conservation, Unit of work, under Unit, also Foot pound, Horse power, Poundal, and Erg.
Energy is the capacity of doing work . . . Work is the transference of energy from one system to another.
Work
Ore before it is dressed.
Work
Performance of moral duties; righteous conduct.
He shall reward every man according to his works.
Faith, if it hath not works, is dead.
Work
Break; twist.
Work
The causing of motion against a resisting force, measured by the product of the force into the component of the motion resolved along the direction of the force.
Energy is the capacity of doing work. . . . Work is the transference of energy from one system to another.
Work
Ore before it is dressed.
Work
To exert one's self for a purpose; to put forth effort for the attainment of an object; to labor; to be engaged in the performance of a task, a duty, or the like.
O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work,To match thy goodness?
Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you.
Whether we work or play, or sleep or wake,Our life doth pass.
Work
Hence, in a general sense, to operate; to act; to perform; as, a machine works well.
We bend to that the working of the heart.
Work
Hence, figuratively, to be effective; to have effect or influence; to conduce.
We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.
This so wrought upon the child, that afterwards he desired to be taught.
She marveled how she could ever have been wrought upon to marry him.
Work
To carry on business; to be engaged or employed customarily; to perform the part of a laborer; to labor; to toil.
They that work in fine flax . . . shall be confounded.
Work
To be in a state of severe exertion, or as if in such a state; to be tossed or agitated; to move heavily; to strain; to labor; as, a ship works in a heavy sea.
Confused with working sands and rolling waves.
Work
To make one's way slowly and with difficulty; to move or penetrate laboriously; to proceed with effort; - with a following preposition, as down, out, into, up, through, and the like; as, scheme works out by degrees; to work into the earth.
Till body up to spirit work, in boundsProportioned to each kind.
Work
To ferment, as a liquid.
The working of beer when the barm is put in.
Work
To act or operate on the stomach and bowels, as a cathartic.
Purges . . . work best, that is, cause the blood so to do, . . . in warm weather or in a warm room.
Work
To labor or operate upon; to give exertion and effort to; to prepare for use, or to utilize, by labor.
He could have told them of two or three gold mines, and a silver mine, and given the reason why they forbare to work them at that time.
Work
To produce or form by labor; to bring forth by exertion or toil; to accomplish; to originate; to effect; as, to work wood or iron into a form desired, or into a utensil; to work cotton or wool into cloth.
Each herb he knew, that works or good or ill.
Work
To produce by slow degrees, or as if laboriously; to bring gradually into any state by action or motion.
So the pure, limpid stream, when foul with stainsOf rushing torrents and descending rains,Works itself clear, and as it runs, refines,Till by degrees the floating mirror shines.
Work
To influence by acting upon; to prevail upon; to manage; to lead.
Work
To form with a needle and thread or yarn; especially, to embroider; as, to work muslin.
Work
To set in motion or action; to direct the action of; to keep at work; to govern; to manage; as, to work a machine.
Knowledge in building and working ships.
Now, Marcus, thy virtue's the proof;Put forth thy utmost strength, work every nerve.
The mariners all 'gan work the ropes,Where they were wont to do.
Work
To cause to ferment, as liquor.
Tears of joy for your returning spilt,Work out and expiate our former guilt.
The sun, that rolls his chariot o'er their heads,Works up more fire and color in their cheeks.
Work
Activity directed toward making or doing something;
She checked several points needing further work
Work
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
Work
The occupation for which you are paid;
He is looking for employment
A lot of people are out of work
Work
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
Work
The total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it);
He studied the entire Wagnerian oeuvre
Picasso's work can be divided into periods
Work
A place where work is done;
He arrived at work early today
Work
(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
Work
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
Work
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
Work
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
Work
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
Work
Shape, form, or improve a material;
Work stone into tools
Process iron
Work the metal
Work
Give a work-out to;
Some parents exercise their infants
My personal trainer works me hard
Work one's muscles
Work
Proceed along a path;
Work one's way through the crowd
Make one's way into the forest
Work
Operate in a certain place, area, or specialty;
She works the night clubs
The salesman works the Midwest
This artist works mostly in acrylics
Work
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
Work
Move in an agitated manner;
His fingers worked with tension
Work
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
Work
Cause to work;
He is working his servants hard
Work
Prepare for crops;
Work the soil
Cultivate the land
Work
Behave in a certain way when handled;
This dough does not work easily
The soft metal works well
Work
Have and exert influence or effect;
The artist's work influenced the young painter
She worked on her friends to support the political candidate
Work
Operate in or through;
Work the phones
Work
Cause to operate or function;
This pilot works the controls
Can you work an electric drill?
Work
Provoke or excite;
The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy
Work
Gratify and charm, usually in order to influence;
The political candidate worked the crowds
Work
Make something, usually for a specific function;
She molded the riceballs carefully
Form cylinders from the dough
Shape a figure
Work the metal into a sword
Work
Move into or onto;
Work the raisins into the dough
The student worked a few jokes into his presentation
Work the body onto the flatbed truck
Work
Make uniform;
Knead dough
Work the clay until it is soft
Work
Use or manipulate to one's advantage;
He exploit the new taxation system
She knows how to work the system
He works his parents for sympathy
Work
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
Work
Cause to undergo fermentation;
We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content
The vintner worked the wine in big oak vats
Work
Go sour or spoil;
The milk has soured
The wine worked
The cream has turned--we have to throw it out
Work
Arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion;
The stitches of the hem worked loose after she wore the skirt many times
Work
The transfer of energy through force over distance.
He did a lot of work lifting the heavy box.
Work
A scalar quantity in physics that has a magnitude but no direction.
Calculating the work done helps in understanding energy transfer.
Work
A measure of energy transfer, commonly in Joules.
The electric motor performed 200 Joules of work.
Work
An action that results in the movement of an object.
Her work in pushing the car was commendable.
Common Curiosities
Is Work a vector or a scalar?
Work is a scalar quantity.
How is Power measured?
Power is measured in Watts.
What is Work?
Work is the energy transferred when a force moves an object over a distance.
Does Power have a time component?
Yes, power is work done per unit of time.
Does Work have a time component?
Work itself does not have a time component.
What is Power?
Power is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.
How is Work measured?
Work is measured in Joules.
Is Power a vector or a scalar?
Power is a scalar quantity.
Can Work be negative?
Yes, work can be negative depending on the direction of force and motion.
Who coined the term Work in physics?
The concept of work has evolved over time, making it difficult to attribute to a single individual.
Are Work and Power interchangeable?
No, work is about energy transferred, while power is about the rate of that transfer.
Can Power be negative?
Typically, power is not negative as it represents a rate.
Who coined the term Power in physics?
The concept of power has also evolved, but James Watt played a significant role in its measurement.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
