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

Meanwhile, labour unions say staff in many cases could be pressured by their employers to volunteer to work or risk their employment contracts.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Iran's deputy labour minister said that 191,000 people had filed for unemployment after losing their jobs due to the impacts of the war.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

Savouring the fruits of his labour is a prospect that should excite Lampard; the crowd at their first home game back in the big time a sight to behold.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

At that time, an energy shock combined with post-pandemic supply chain woes and tight labour markets to push eurozone inflation to record highs.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

In 1943, members of the Dutch Resistance bombed the Amsterdam civil registry office in an attempt to destroy records, to prevent the Nazis from identifying Jews and others marked for persecution, arrest or forced labour.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler