labour

[ley-ber]

noun

Chiefly British.

1. labor.

labour

/ 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

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 Note

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

• labouringly adverb
• antilabour adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of labour¹

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

Example Sentences

Twice, in the early stage of labour, Mrs Richards was sent home from hospital.

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But opposition parties have accused the government of eroding workers' rights and "pushing the country back to a labour middle age".

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He had been in prison for three weeks at the time after being handed a two-year prison sentence with hard labour.

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The two countries allege he directed operations of forced labour compounds across Cambodia where thousands of workers were held in compounds surrounded by high walls and barbed wire.

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There are at least 53 scam compounds in the country where organised criminal groups carry out human trafficking, forced labour, torture, deprivation of liberty and slavery, according to the organisation.

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