works program
6
3.9
- noun
- /wɜrks ˈprɒɡræm/
- Formal
:
programa de obras
- A productive alternative to simple retrenchment would be a large public works program, which the economy could use.
- public works program
- federal works program
- an annual works program
Examples
-
But he questioned the purpose, efficacy, and potential abuses of work programs.
Academic text (1995) -
"Most severely affected are social services agencies, education, health care programs, and public works programs.
Fiction book (1995) -
The latter helped to support a welfare-to-work program; in fact, former welfare recipients constitute almost 85 percent of the workforce.
Academic text (2001) -
Marshall's dissent also cautioned his peers and the public about the problems inherent in work programs.
Academic text (1995) -
The city implemented a new works program to improve public transportation and create jobs for local residents.
-
As part of the works program, volunteers helped repair roads and parks in their community.
-
The government announced funding for a works program to build new bridges and enhance existing infrastructure.
Synonyms
∞
2.5
A planned set of services and projects to achieve a goal
How Large
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally built from 'works' + 'program', so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a program concerned with works or construction projects. However, the specific sense (public/government-funded initiative that provides jobs) and the exact meaning of 'works' (public works vs a factory/site) are not fully predictable from the parts, so full understanding likely requires prior exposure.
Etymology
The phrase works program comes from the idea of public works, meaning building or fixing roads and bridges, and a planned program of jobs. In hard times, governments paid people to do these public works, so today a works program means a government plan to give people jobs by building or caring for public things.