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child labor

American  

noun

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


Etymology

Origin of child labor

First recorded in 1875–80

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.

It was a reaction to corporate abuses and corrupt governance and horrific things like child labor and environmental destruction.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

The early 20th century, Mr. Kimmel tells us, was the beginning of a “new American childhood,” whose hallmarks included the decline of child labor and a newfound emphasis on creative expression and play.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

His goal, Donaldson has said, is to eventually get 100% of his cocoa from fair-labor cocoa farms and eliminate child labor in the cocoa industry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 3, 2026

Just 27 citations were issued for child labor violations to the thousands of agricultural employers across California, the records show.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

We called for an end to child labor.

From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai

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