labour

American  

[ley-ber] / ˈleɪ bər /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. labor.

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labour British  

/ ˈleɪbə /

noun

1. productive work, esp physical toil done for wages

2. 1. the people, class, or workers involved in this, esp in contrast to management, capital, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a labour dispute

      labour relations

3. 1. difficult or arduous work or effort

   2. ( in combination )

      labour-saving

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

5. 1. the process or effort of childbirth or the time during which this takes place

   2. ( as modifier )

      labour pains

6. something done for pleasure rather than gain

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verb

1. (intr) to perform labour; work

2. (intr; foll by for, etc) to strive or work hard (for something)

3. to be burdened (by) or be at a disadvantage (because of)

   to labour under a misapprehension

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

5. (tr) to deal with or treat too persistently

   to labour a point

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

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

Spelling

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

• antilabour
  adjective
• labouringly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of labour

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

Example Sentences

Simons told the programme it would be "existential" for the Labour Party if it lost the Makerfield by-election.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

The UK's relationship with the EU looks set to become an issue in both a possible Labour leadership contest and the coming by-election in the Makerfield constituency.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Wes Streeting, who resigned as UK health secretary this week, announced Saturday he will run to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister, after the party suffered disastrous local election results.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

He said that he wanted Labour to "be part of working class people".

From BBC • May 16, 2026

Dad tells Grandma it sThursday and he has to go to the Labour Exchange for the dole and then down to the undertaker to bring the mourning carriage and the coffin.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt