Workload Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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workload

[ˈwɜːrkˌləʊd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

at work

The amount of work assigned to or expected of a person, team, or organization. It is often measured in terms of time, effort, or tasks.

Synonyms

work quantity, work volume, workload level.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
workload	Use when referring to the amount of work assigned to or expected from a person within a certain period. The new manager is concerned about the heavy workload in her department. I've been given a lighter workload this month.
work volume	Use this phrase when describing the overall size or amount of work, particularly in industries where work can be quantified but is not about individual tasks. Due to the holiday season, the work volume at the warehouse has tripled. They need to hire more staff to handle the increased work volume.
workload level	Use when comparing or evaluating the intensity of the workload, often on a scale. Her workload level is one of the highest in the company. We need to assess the workload level to ensure team members are not overwhelmed.
work quantity	Use when specifically measuring the number of tasks, projects, or units of work that need to be completed. He constantly monitors the work quantity to ensure deadlines are met. The work quantity has increased significantly this quarter.

Examples of usage

The new project has increased my workload significantly.
Due to the high workload, the team had to work overtime to meet the deadline.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

academic setting

The amount of work that a student is expected to complete for a course or program. It may include assignments, readings, exams, and other tasks.

Synonyms

academic workload, course workload, study load.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
workload	Repeated, see first entry for details.
academic workload	Specifically refers to the amount of academic tasks, such as lectures, assignments, and exams, a student has to manage within a certain time frame. The academic workload for medical students is typically very demanding. He struggled to cope with the academic workload during his first semester.
study load	Refers to the total amount of study-related work and activities undertaken by a student, encompassing all coursework, assignments, and preparation. Balancing a heavy study load and a part-time job can be challenging. Her study load increased significantly during the exam period.
course workload	Relates to the amount of work and study required for a particular course or subject. It is often used to describe the total effort required from students for a single class or set of classes. The course workload for the chemistry class includes weekly labs and bi-weekly midterms. Students often compare the course workload before choosing their electives.

Examples of usage

The workload for this semester is quite heavy, with multiple assignments due each week.
I have to manage my time effectively to handle the workload of all my courses.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

computing

The amount of processing that a computer system is subjected to at any given time. It is often measured in terms of CPU usage, memory usage, and input/output operations.

Synonyms

computational load, processing demand, system load.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
workload	General term referring to the amount of work tasks or duties one has to complete, applicable in both physical and mental tasks. She managed her workload efficiently and finished ahead of schedule. The team's workload increased dramatically before the project deadline.
computational load	Specific term used in computer science to describe the amount of processing power required by a computation-intensive task. The new algorithm reduces the computational load on the server. Running the simulation resulted in a high computational load.
system load	Term often used in IT to describe the overall demand placed on a computer system's resources, including CPU, memory, and storage. During peak hours, the system load reaches its maximum capacity. Monitoring tools help manage and balance the system load effectively.
processing demand	Used to describe the need for computational resources to process data or execute tasks, often in context of software and hardware. The processing demand of the application was too high for the old hardware. Optimizing the code helped lower the processing demand.

Examples of usage

The system crashed due to the excessive workload on the server.
Optimizing the code can help reduce the workload on the database.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Excessive workload can lead to burnout, a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion.
Research shows that individuals with a balanced workload are more productive and satisfied in their jobs.
Workload management skills are crucial for maintaining mental health and job performance.

Education

In educational settings, workload is discussed in relation to how much homework students receive and its impact on learning outcomes.
Adjusting workload according to students' needs can improve engagement and performance in schools.
Teachers often balance their own workload with supporting students to ensure effective learning.

Business

In project management, tracking workload is essential for planning and ensuring deadlines are met without overstressing team members.
Workload allocation helps teams distribute tasks efficiently, enhancing productivity and morale in the workplace.
Many companies use software tools to measure and adjust employee workloads in real-time, aiming for optimal efficiency.

Technology

Cloud computing platforms often describe 'workload' in terms of the computational tasks they handle for users.
Automation tools have been designed to manage workloads by freeing up human resources from repetitive tasks.
In data analysis, workload optimization refers to balancing the tasks on servers to enhance performance and reduce downtime.

Origin of 'workload'

Main points about word origin

The term combines 'work' from Old English 'weorc', meaning physical or mental effort, and 'load' from Old English 'lād', meaning something that is carried.
The word 'workload' started being used in the mid-20th century as workplaces began to formalize time and task management.

The term 'workload' originated in the mid-19th century, combining 'work' and 'load'. It initially referred to the amount of work that can be or is assigned to a worker or machine. Over time, the concept expanded to include various contexts such as academic workload and computing workload. Today, workload is a common term used in professional, academic, and technical settings to describe the amount of work or processing demand placed on an individual or system.