labour
Americannoun
noun
-
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
-
-
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
-
-
something done for pleasure rather than gain
verb
-
(intr) to perform labour; work
-
(intr; foll by for, etc) to strive or work hard (for something)
-
to be burdened (by) or be at a disadvantage (because of)
to labour under a misapprehension
-
(intr) to make one's way with difficulty
-
(tr) to deal with or treat too persistently
to labour a point
-
(intr) (of a woman) to be in labour
-
(intr) (of a ship) to pitch and toss
Spelling
See -or 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of labour
C13: via Old French from Latin labor; perhaps related to lābī to fall
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.
But labour leaders say workers' grievances extend beyond the formation of the board, citing inflation and rising household expenses.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
Kamrul Hasan, general secretary of the Ekota Garments Sramik Federation, told AFP Monday that some labour leaders had gone into hiding.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
Two days later and after 10 hours in labour, Danielle gave birth to a baby girl.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
“There is no evidence of a general late-year inflation premium in settlements as affordability, subdued demand and the looser labour market are limiting pass-through into larger awards,” the BOE’s agents reported.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
And in many ways the animal method of doing things was more efficient and saved labour.
From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
