labour
Americannoun
noun
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productive work, esp physical toil done for wages
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the people, class, or workers involved in this, esp in contrast to management, capital, etc
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( as modifier )
a labour dispute
labour relations
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difficult or arduous work or effort
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( in combination )
labour-saving
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a particular job or task, esp of a difficult nature
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the process or effort of childbirth or the time during which this takes place
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( as modifier )
labour pains
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something done for pleasure rather than gain
verb
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(intr) to perform labour; work
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(intr; foll by for, etc) to strive or work hard (for something)
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to be burdened (by) or be at a disadvantage (because of)
to labour under a misapprehension
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(intr) to make one's way with difficulty
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(tr) to deal with or treat too persistently
to labour a point
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(intr) (of a woman) to be in labour
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(intr) (of a ship) to pitch and toss
Spelling
See -or 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of labour
C13: via Old French from Latin labor; perhaps related to lābī to fall
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.
Industry groups are urging the government to create legal pathways for seasonal foreign labour, arguing that sectors such as agriculture have become dependent on migrant workers and cannot replace them overnight.
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
Adding to the dour mood was news Thursday that Washington would impose new tolls of 10-12.5 percent on dozens of trading partners -- including China and India -- over forced labour concerns.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
This is not an accusation on the use of forced labour in supply chains.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Experts said the softening labour market was another reason the Bank of England was likely to hold interest rates.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Stone-hard are the Dwarves in labour or journey, but this endless chase began to tell on him, as all hope failed in his heart.
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
