laborer

[ley-ber-er]

noun

1. a person engaged in work that requires bodily strength rather than skill or training.

   a laborer in the field.

2. any worker.

Other Word Forms

• underlaborer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of laborer¹

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; labor, -er ¹

Example Sentences

“We are disturbed by what can only be described as an act of terror and indiscriminate roundup of Latino street vendors, day laborers, and people who were going about their daily lives,” the organization stated.

From Los Angeles Times

But in recent months, videos of immigration raids — especially in Los Angeles — have gone viral, capturing agents arresting tamale vendors, day laborers and car wash workers.

From Los Angeles Times

Constructed around the same agriculture fields where Cesar Chavez organized migrant laborers before establishing the United Farm Workers of America, Oxnard is a place where Latino influence is omnipresent — from music festivals to eateries.

From Los Angeles Times

City officials said approximately five laborers were also detained Saturday outside the Home Depot on Brookhurst Street, another frequent target of immigration enforcement.

From Los Angeles Times

Since federal agents had descended on California, apprehending gardeners, day laborers and car wash workers en masse, residents in immigrant-heavy pockets like this one had mostly stayed inside.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hand 
• manual worker www.thesaurus.com
• worker