workplace
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈɜːkpleɪs/
US
- /ˈwɜrkˌpleɪs/
Description
- place people work
- job site
- office
- work setting
The workplace is not just where you clock in and out; it is the whole environment around your job - from a physical space like an office or factory to the way people act and work together there. Think of a busy construction site as a workplace, but also a quiet home office where someone writes code. It can even be a coffee shop if that is where a freelancer does their work. The term has become more flexible with the rise of remote work, meaning your workplace could be almost anywhere you get things done.
The word often implies more than just location; it also suggests the social and professional side of a job. A positive workplace supports teamwork and growth, while a negative one might be filled with stress and conflict. You will hear phrases like "workplace safety," "workplace diversity," or even "workplace drama."
The workplace refers to the physical or virtual location where someone works - but it is much more than just bricks and mortar, or pixels on a screen. Traditionally, we think of workplaces as offices, factories, stores, hospitals, schools, or construction sites. However, with the increase in remote work, the workplace can be anywhere a person does their job: a home office, a coffee shop, or even a park bench.
The term includes not only the physical space but also the full environment around the job - including coworkers, company culture, policies, and expectations. A healthy workplace values safety, respect, inclusion, and chances to learn and grow. Discussions about "improving the workplace" often focus on these things.
You will often see "workplace" in phrases like workplace harassment, which means unacceptable behavior at work; workplace accidents, which are injuries that happen on the job; or workplace training, which helps employees build new skills.
The idea of a workplace is changing quickly, shaped by technology and by changing views on work-life balance. In the future, workplaces may become even more flexible and spread out, which can blur the line between work and personal life. So, when you hear "workplace," think beyond just a building - it is the whole setting where people earn a living and do their work.
Examples
- 1
Work location
My workplace is in the city center, so I take the train every day.
- 2
Dress codes
Different workplaces have different rules about dress codes.
- 3
Safety training
The company introduced new training to make the workplace safer.
- 4
Remote work
Remote work has changed what many people want from a workplace.
- 5
Company culture
She liked the job, but the workplace culture was too competitive.
Phrase
workplace culture
the way people behave and treat each other at work
- 6
Harassment policy
The new policy is meant to prevent bullying and harassment in the workplace.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- workplacenoun
Forms
- workplacespluralnoun