works

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /wɜːks/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /wɝks/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)ks

works

1. plural of work

works pl (plural only)

1. A mechanism or machine; the means by which something happens.

   A stray wrench can really gum up the works.

2. A factory or factories, or similar collection(s) of buildings.

   The steel works almost fills the valley.

   • 1918, W. B. Maxwell, chapter 22, in The Mirror and the Lamp:

     In the autumn there was a row at some cement works about the unskilled labour men. A union had just been started for them and all but a few joined. One of these blacklegs was laid for by a picket and knocked out of time.

3. (with "the") Everything or everything that is available or possible; especially, all available toppings on food.

   I'll have a Behemoth Burger with the works.

4. (with "the") Drastic treatment; abuse; the axe (dismissal).

   Why did Constantinople get the works?

works

1. Third-person singular simple present indicative form of work

• all the way
• in the works
• the whole nine yards
• the whole shebang
• the whole shop