0 work that you are given or give yourself mainly so that you have something to do, rather than because it is really necessary:
While he waited, he organized his files. The busywork helped take his mind off the terrible events of the past few days.
The big automakers are reluctant to lay off engineers during downturns and tend to give them busywork.
Students say that the program allows for too many open-ended questions on exams and that many assignments amount to busywork.
Some of the policy procedures are seen as busywork and cause resentment among the staff.
There is nothing here like the inlaid busywork of layered and suspended voice-leading found in the accompaniment to my first three examples.
They perceived the assignment as busywork.
