labour

[ ley-ber ]

noun, verb (used with or without object), adjectiveChiefly British.

usage note For labour

See -or1.

Other words from labour

  • an·ti·la·bour, adjective

Words Nearby labour

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How to use labour in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for labour

labour

US labor

/ (ˈleɪbə) /


noun
  1. productive work, esp physical toil done for wages

    • the people, class, or workers involved in this, esp in contrast to management, capital, etc

    • (as modifier): a labour dispute; labour relations

    • difficult or arduous work or effort

    • (in combination): labour-saving

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

    • the process or effort of childbirth or the time during which this takes place

    • (as modifier): labour pains

  2. labour of love 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)

  1. (intr usually foll by under) to be burdened (by) or be at a disadvantage (because of): to labour under a misapprehension

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

  3. (tr) to deal with or treat too persistently: to labour a point

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

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

Origin of labour

1
C13: via Old French from Latin labor; perhaps related to lābī to fall

Derived forms of labour

  • labouringly or US laboringly, adverb

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