Meaning & Definition of word "Labor"

Labor

/ˈleɪbər/

noun:

  • 1. Work, especially hard physical work.
    • Example: The labor required to build the bridge was significant.
  • 2. The process of childbirth.
    • Example: She began labor early in the morning and gave birth by noon.
  • 3. A group of workers, particularly in a specific industry or trade.
    • Example: The labor of the factory employees was crucial for meeting the production deadline.

verb:

  • 1. To work hard or strive.
    • Example: He labored for hours to complete the project on time.
  • 2. To be in the process of childbirth.
    • Example: She was laboring through the night with the support of her husband.

Etymology

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

Common Phrases and Expressions

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.

Related Words

laborer:

A person who does manual work.

laboratory:

A place where scientific experiments and research are conducted.

laborious:

Requiring considerable effort and time.

Slang Meanings of labor

Meaning: To work hard, especially physically.

Example Sentence: He was laboring all day in the fields.

Meaning: To make a lot of effort with little return.

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