Workhouse
noun
A government-run institution where poor or unemployed people lived and worked in the past, often in very poor conditions.
In the 19th century, many impoverished people were sent to the workhouse.
Often appears as...
- in the workhouse
- sent to the workhouse
Usage tips
Disapproving
Historical
noun
A place where certain types of products, such as cloth or pottery, were made by the people who lived there.
She spent her childhood working in a garment workhouse.
Often appears as...
- workhouse conditions
- workhouse inmates
Usage tips
Industrial
noun
A government-run institution where poor or unemployed people lived and worked in the past, often in very poor conditions.
In the 19th century, many impoverished people were sent to the workhouse.
Often appears as...
- in the workhouse
- sent to the workhouse
Usage tips
Disapproving
Historical
noun
A place where certain types of products, such as cloth or pottery, were made by the people who lived there.
She spent her childhood working in a garment workhouse.
Often appears as...
- workhouse conditions
- workhouse inmates
Usage tips
Industrial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Context
Understanding 'workhouse' requires knowledge of old social systems, it's not in modern use.
The local museum exhibited a workhouse replica from the Victorian era.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotations
'Workhouse' implies a place of suffering and harsh conditions in historical contexts.
His great-grandfather's life in the workhouse was brutal and dehumanizing.
Pro Tip 3/3Literature Reference
Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist' portrays workhouse life, helping understand its cultural significance.
In Dickensian literature, the workhouse is an emblem of the era's social injustice.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Context
Understanding 'workhouse' requires knowledge of old social systems, it's not in modern use.
The local museum exhibited a workhouse replica from the Victorian era.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotations
'Workhouse' implies a place of suffering and harsh conditions in historical contexts.
His great-grandfather's life in the workhouse was brutal and dehumanizing.
Pro Tip 3/3Literature Reference
Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist' portrays workhouse life, helping understand its cultural significance.
In Dickensian literature, the workhouse is an emblem of the era's social injustice.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Context
Understanding 'workhouse' requires knowledge of old social systems, it's not in modern use.
The local museum exhibited a workhouse replica from the Victorian era.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotations
'Workhouse' implies a place of suffering and harsh conditions in historical contexts.
His great-grandfather's life in the workhouse was brutal and dehumanizing.
Pro Tip 3/3Literature Reference
Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist' portrays workhouse life, helping understand its cultural significance.
In Dickensian literature, the workhouse is an emblem of the era's social injustice.
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Video examples
How a few scientists...
that housed hundreds of people, but only a handful had become infected, which Dr. Snow attributed to the fact that the workhouse had its own private well. Finally, Dr. Snow heard of an infant who may have been one of the earliest victims of the outbreak. He learned that the child's dirty diapers
Video examples
How a few scientists...
that housed hundreds of people, but only a handful had become infected, which Dr. Snow attributed to the fact that the workhouse had its own private well. Finally, Dr. Snow heard of an infant who may have been one of the earliest victims of the outbreak. He learned that the child's dirty diapers
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Lady Gregory
Irish Dramatist
It was among farmers and potato diggers and old men in workhouses and beggars at my own door that I found what was beyond these and yet farther beyond that drawingroom poet of my childhood in the expression of love, and grief, and the pain of parting, that are the disclosure of the individual soul.
Quote examples
Fiona Bruce
British Journalist
I collect things called 'samplers' which are Victorian pieces of needlework usually done by children in a workhouse to show that they have a skill which can be used in service, stitching household linen or that kind of thing. I think they're very humble and very beautiful.
Quote examples
Dorothy L. Sayers
British Author
Lawyers enjoy a little mystery, you know. Why, if everybody came forward and told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth straight out, we should all retire to the workhouse.
Quote examples
Thomas Bailey Aldrich
American Poet
Portsmouth has the honor, I believe, of establishing the first recorded pauper workhouse - though not in connection with her poets, as might naturally be supposed.
Quote examples
Peter Hitchens
English Journalist
Skimmed milk was what they used to give to prisoners and workhouse inmates to go with their porridge and gruel. It's a punishment, not a drink.
Quote examples
Lady Gregory
Irish Dramatist
It was among farmers and potato diggers and old men in workhouses and beggars at my own door that I found what was beyond these and yet farther beyond that drawingroom poet of my childhood in the expression of love, and grief, and the pain of parting, that are the disclosure of the individual soul.
Quote examples
Fiona Bruce
British Journalist
I collect things called 'samplers' which are Victorian pieces of needlework usually done by children in a workhouse to show that they have a skill which can be used in service, stitching household linen or that kind of thing. I think they're very humble and very beautiful.
Quote examples
Dorothy L. Sayers
British Author
Lawyers enjoy a little mystery, you know. Why, if everybody came forward and told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth straight out, we should all retire to the workhouse.
Quote examples
Thomas Bailey Aldrich
American Poet
Portsmouth has the honor, I believe, of establishing the first recorded pauper workhouse - though not in connection with her poets, as might naturally be supposed.
Quote examples
Peter Hitchens
English Journalist
Skimmed milk was what they used to give to prisoners and workhouse inmates to go with their porridge and gruel. It's a punishment, not a drink.
Example 1 of 5
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