A chore is a routine task that needs to be done regularly, usually at home. Chores are jobs like washing dishes, taking out the trash, feeding pets, or making your bed. They're the everyday tasks that keep a household running smoothly.

Most families divide chores among family members. You might be responsible for setting the table before dinner while your sibling clears it afterward. Your parents might handle bigger chores like grocery shopping or mowing the lawn. Even though chores aren't usually exciting, they can teach skills like responsibility and time management.

The word chore often suggests something you have to do rather than want to do. When someone says a project has become a real chore, they mean it feels tedious and tiresome. When everyone does their part, chores get done faster and feel less burdensome.

Some kids earn an allowance by completing their chores, learning that work can lead to reward. Others do chores simply because they're part of the family team.