Definition of workday

"Workday" is a relatively modern term, combining the Old English words "weorc" (work) and "dæg" (day). It first appeared in the 14th century, though its usage initially referred to any day dedicated to labor, not necessarily a specific schedule. The modern concept of a "workday" as a fixed period for work, usually 8 hours, emerged with the Industrial Revolution and the rise of factory work. This shift in meaning reflects the change in work patterns from agrarian societies to industrial ones.