Workhouse Meaning in English
word
Definition
A workhouse was a public institution in Britain where poor people lived and worked in exchange for food and shelter, mainly in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Usage & Nuances
Historic and mostly British term, rarely used in modern times outside history books and literature (especially Charles Dickens). Sometimes used metaphorically for a harsh institution. Do not use for modern shelters or prisons.
Example Sentences
In the past, poor people had to live in the workhouse.
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Oliver Twist was an orphan in a workhouse.
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The workhouse gave food to the poor, but the work was very hard.
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Many families ended up in the workhouse during hard times in Victorian England.
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His story is so sad—it starts in a workhouse and just gets worse.
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When people mention a workhouse, I always think of old British novels.
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