child labor

noun

1. the gainful employment of children below an age determined by law or custom.

Word History and Origins

Origin of child labor¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Dickens grew up in a London where child labor was ruthlessly exploited.

From The Daily Beast

It points out that there are no controls on human trafficking and child labor when it comes to the production of the goods.

From The Daily Beast

He also won passage of a ban on child labor, struck down by a Scalia-like like Supreme Court in 1918.

From The Daily Beast

When a federal law passed curtailing the child-labor abuses, there was finally an opportunity for kids to act their age.

From The Daily Beast

The problem: pesky state child labor laws requiring that minors work a maximum eight hours a day when school is not in session.

From The Daily Beast

Woman-and child-labor were common in both mines and factories.

From Project Gutenberg

Begin with an introductory paper on child labor in the mills of England in the nineteenth century.

From Project Gutenberg

To the cry for a Republican system of education was added an anti-child labor crusade.

From Project Gutenberg

The sweatshop, child-labor, excessive hours for women, were attacked with considerable effect.

From Project Gutenberg

In some instances contracts were returned because of the child-labor clause.

From Project Gutenberg