manpower
word
Definition
The number of workers or the total labor force available for a task, project, or organization. Refers to human resources in terms of quantity and capacity, not individual skill.
Usage & Nuances
Uncountable noun — no plural ('manpowers' is wrong). Some style guides prefer gender-neutral alternatives like 'workforce,' 'staffing,' or 'personnel,' but 'manpower' remains widely used in business and military contexts. Common collocations: 'manpower shortage,' 'manpower planning,' 'lack of manpower.' Often implies physical or operational labor rather than intellectual work.
Example Sentences
The company doesn't have enough manpower to finish the project on time.
basic
The army needs more manpower to defend the border.
basic
There is a serious manpower shortage in the healthcare sector.
basic
We've got the budget, but we just don't have the manpower to pull it off.
natural
Hiring seasonal workers helped solve the manpower crunch during the holidays.
natural
The real bottleneck isn't money — it's manpower. We simply can't find enough qualified people.
natural