labour

American  

[ley-ber] / ˈleɪ bər /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. labor.

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labour British  

/ ˈleɪbə /

noun

1. productive work, esp physical toil done for wages

2. 1. the people, class, or workers involved in this, esp in contrast to management, capital, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a labour dispute

      labour relations

3. 1. difficult or arduous work or effort

   2. ( in combination )

      labour-saving

4. a particular job or task, esp of a difficult nature

5. 1. the process or effort of childbirth or the time during which this takes place

   2. ( as modifier )

      labour pains

6. something done for pleasure rather than gain

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verb

1. (intr) to perform labour; work

2. (intr; foll by for, etc) to strive or work hard (for something)

3. to be burdened (by) or be at a disadvantage (because of)

   to labour under a misapprehension

4. (intr) to make one's way with difficulty

5. (tr) to deal with or treat too persistently

   to labour a point

6. (intr) (of a woman) to be in labour

7. (intr) (of a ship) to pitch and toss

Spelling

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

• antilabour adjective
• labouringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of labour

C13: via Old French from Latin labor; perhaps related to lābī to fall

Example Sentences

"This was a solid report across headline job creation, unemployment, and wage growth, easing concerns over the health of the US labour market," wrote City Index's Fiona Cincotta.

From Barron's

A common theme among the 15 families who make up Truth for Our Babies is that UH Sussex did not listen to maternal concerns, either before birth or during labour.

From BBC

Nancy Vanden Houten, lead economist at Oxford Economics, said the report "overstates" the emerging strength of the labour market, noting that the bulk of the job gains were concentrated in just a few sectors.

From BBC

Fears of a labour market slowdown, which gripped consumers, economists and central bankers last year, have eased in recent weeks.

From BBC

Mudavadi has told the BBC that Kenya's engagement with Russia will focus on curbing illegal recruitment practices, including discussions on visa policy and bilateral labour agreements excluding military conscription.

From BBC