worker

American  

[wur-ker] / ˈwɜr kər /

noun

1. a person or thing that works.

2. a laborer or employee.

   steel workers.

3. a person engaged in a particular field, activity, or cause.

   a worker in psychological research; a worker for the Republican Party.

4. Entomology.

   1. a member of a caste of sexually underdeveloped, nonreproductive bees, specialized to collect food and maintain the hive.

   2. a similar member of a specialized caste of ants, termites, or wasps.

5. Printing. one of a set of electrotyped plates used to print from (molder ).

6. any of several rollers covered with card clothing that work in combination with the stripper rollers and the cylinder in the carding of fibers.

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worker British  

/ ˈwɜːkə /

noun

1. a person or thing that works, usually at a specific job

   a good worker

   a research worker

2. an employee in an organization, as opposed to an employer or manager

3. a manual labourer or other employee working in a manufacturing or other industry

4. any other member of the working class

5. a sterile female member of a colony of bees, ants, or wasps that forages for food, cares for the larvae, etc

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Other Word Forms

• nonworker noun
• subworker noun
• workerless adjective

Etymology

Origin of worker

First recorded in 1300–50, worker is from the Middle English word werker, worcher. See work, -er ¹

Example Sentences

It estimated there might not be any growth in the labor force at all this year because of slower immigration and worker retirements.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

A long-serving worker has shared his memories and favourite animals at a safari park he calls his "first home" as it celebrates 60 years of being open to the public.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

The IT worker in Aliquippa, Pa., bought a lightly used Kia EV6, after trying the same vehicle on a cheap lease for the past couple of years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

GE Aerospace uses AI for design, monitoring, inspection, and worker productivity, benefiting from aerospace’s high capital intensity and regulation.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“It is part of my job to see the best in people,” the social worker replied.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

Related Words

• employee
• laborer
• staff