Labor

/ˈleɪbər/

Meaning & Definition

noun

Work, especially hard physical work.

The labor required to build the bridge was significant.

The process of childbirth.

She began labor early in the morning and gave birth by noon.

A group of workers, particularly in a specific industry or trade.

The labor of the factory employees was crucial for meeting the production deadline.

verb

To work hard or strive.

He labored for hours to complete the project on time.

To be in the process of childbirth.

She was laboring through the night with the support of her husband.

Middle English 'labour', from Old French 'labor', from Latin 'labor'.

labor of love

Work undertaken for its own sake, not for material reward.

labor force

The total number of people available for work, including the unemployed.

hard labor

Difficult or physically demanding work.

labor under

To be burdened or encumbered by something.

laborer

A person who does manual work.

laboratory

A place where scientific experiments and research are conducted.

laborious

Requiring considerable effort and time.

To work hard, especially physically.

He was laboring all day in the fields.

To make a lot of effort with little return.

She felt like she was just laboring for nothing in that job.