Labor
/ˈleɪbər/
Definitions
5 meaningsPhysical or mental effort, especially when difficult or painful; work.
/ˈleɪbər/
Physical exertion and effort.
The harvest required a great deal of physical labor.
💡 Simply: It's like when you work really hard at something, like building a fort or helping your parents with chores. It's the effort you put in.
👶 For kids: Working hard with your body or your brain!
More Examples
The company is dependent on skilled labor.
She went into labor early that morning.
How It's Used
"The construction workers performed heavy labor."
"Labor is a factor of production."
Workers considered as a group, especially those in a particular trade or industry; the workforce.
/ˈleɪbər/
A group of workers or a workforce.
The factory employs a large labor force.
💡 Simply: It's a group of people who work, like the people who build your house or the people who work in a factory.
👶 For kids: A group of workers doing a job.
More Examples
Labor disputes can disrupt production.
The company agreed to the demands of the labor union.
How It's Used
"The company negotiated with the labor union."
"Labor unions represent workers' interests."
The process of childbirth, including contractions and delivery.
/ˈleɪbər/
The process of childbirth.
The doctor monitored her progress during labor.
💡 Simply: It's the time when a woman's body prepares for the birth of a baby.
👶 For kids: When a mommy is having a baby.
More Examples
She experienced strong contractions during her labor.
The hospital has a dedicated labor and delivery unit.
How It's Used
"She was in labor for twelve hours."
To work hard; make a great effort.
/ˈleɪbər/
To work hard; exert oneself.
The team labored for hours to complete the task.
💡 Simply: It's when you try really, really hard to do something, like when you study for a big test or build a Lego castle.
👶 For kids: To try very, very hard!
More Examples
She labored under difficult circumstances.
The farmers labored in the fields from dawn till dusk.
How It's Used
"She labored tirelessly on the project."
To go through the process of childbirth.
/ˈleɪbər/
To be in the process of childbirth.
The expectant mother labored for several hours.
💡 Simply: It means a mommy is starting to have her baby. This means her body is changing.
👶 For kids: When a mommy is getting ready to have a baby.
More Examples
She started to labor after her water broke.
The doctor assured her that her labor was progressing normally.
How It's Used
"She labored through the night."
Idioms & expressions
labor of love
Work done willingly and with pleasure, even though it may require a lot of effort.
"She spent hours restoring the old car; it was a labor of love."
birth labor
The process of a woman giving birth to a child.
"Her birth labor was long and arduous."
From Latin *labor* 'toil, exertion, hardship'.
The word 'labor' has been used since the 13th century, evolving from the Latin word *labor* and primarily referring to work or effort.
Memory tip
Think of a hard physical task requiring a lot of exertion.
Word Origin
"toil, exertion, hardship"