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.
Kamrul Hasan, general secretary of the Ekota Garments Sramik Federation, told AFP Monday that some labour leaders had gone into hiding.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
Two days later and after 10 hours in labour, Danielle gave birth to a baby girl.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
Kamrul Hasan, general secretary of the Ekota Garments Sramik Federation, told AFP some labour leaders had gone into hiding.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
The revival of interest feels to her like a backlash against overproduction in the fashion industry and the damage it causes: the pollution, carbon emissions, water use, and poor labour conditions.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
But still, neither pigs nor dogs produced any food by their own labour; and there were very many of them, and their appetites were always good.
From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
