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.
They claim the increase is down to higher labour and material costs, additional regulations, and tax and levy rises.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
But about 40 to 45 minutes into the film, the labour pains began.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
"Outside the handicrafts sector there is not nearly enough local skilled labour available in Kashmir," said Mohammad Ashraf Mir of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026
"It's a lot of effort to go on Drag Race, a lot of investment and emotional labour," they added, "so I hope the audience follows and keeps supporting the queens."
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
But King Laugh he come like the sunshine, and he ease off the strain again; and we bear to go on with our labour, what it may be.”
From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
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.
