bracero
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of bracero
First recorded in 1915–20; from Spanish: “laborer,” literally, “one who swings his arms,” equivalent to brazo “arm” + -ero; see origin at brace, -ary
Explanation
From the 1940s to the 1960s, temporary Mexican workers in the United States were called braceros. An official agreement between the countries included a minimum wage and workplace protections for the braceros. In Spanish, bracero means "one who works with his arms." These laborers filled an acute need for able-bodied farm workers in the U.S. during and after World War II. 1942's Mexican Farm Labor Agreement guaranteed room and board for braceros who moved temporarily to the U.S., as well as minimum pay of 30 cents per hour. The program was renewed several times but eventually became controversial as American workers came to view it as a threat to their employment.
Vocabulary lists containing bracero
Breaking Through
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Chapter 18, Sections 1–5
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Fountains of Silence
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Bracero Program began importing Mexican guestworkers in 1942 to replace American farmworkers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025
In addition we need to consider a new Bracero Program, which allowed guest workers to come to the U.S. legally without their families in the mid-20th century.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 14, 2025
The Bracero program was a bilateral agreement between the United States and Mexico, initiated during World War II in 1942 to address labor shortages in American agriculture caused by the war effort.
From Salon • Mar. 26, 2024
Many mobile home parks in the area have their roots in the era of California’s Bracero Program, which brought Mexican workers to the state’s fields during World War II.
From New York Times • Jul. 31, 2022
“He came to the US as part of the Bracero Program,” Mom said.
From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
