labor
labor Lexical Profile
labor Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American Physical or mental work, especially of a hard, exhausting, or strenuous nature.
"Repairing the stone wall required several days of heavy manual labor."
American Workers considered collectively as an economic, social, or political force, especially wage-earning workers as distinct from management or capital.
"Negotiations between management and organized labor continued throughout the weekend."
American The physiological process of childbirth, especially the period of uterine contractions leading up to the delivery of a baby.
"She was in labor for twelve hours before her daughter was born."
• verb
American To work hard and make a great physical or mental effort.
"Generations of farmers have labored in these fields to produce the region's crops."
American To move, function, or breathe with great difficulty, strain, or effort.
"The old locomotive labored up the steep mountain grade."
American To discuss or dwell on a point, argument, or detail at excessive length.
"There is no need to labor the point now that everyone agrees on the schedule."
Word Nuance & Usage
Spelled 'labor' in American English and 'labour' in British, Canadian, and Australian English (though the Australian political party is spelled 'Labor').
• Rhymes for labor
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'labour', borrowed from Old French 'labor', from Latin 'labor' meaning 'toil, exertion, hardship, or pain'.