Labour

/ˈleɪ.bə/ · noun

Meaning

An effort expended on a particular task; toil, work..

Definitions by Sense

1. An effort expended on a particular task; toil, work.
2. That which requires hard work for its accomplishment; that which demands effort.
3. (uncountable) Workers in general; the working class, the workforce; sometimes specifically the labour movement, organised labour.
4. (uncountable) A political party or force aiming or claiming to represent the interests of labour.
5. (medicine, obstetrics) The act or process of a mother giving birth.
6. The time period during which a mother gives birth.
7. (nautical) The pitching or tossing of a vessel which results in the straining of timbers and rigging.
8. (historical) A traditional unit of area in Mexico and Texas, equivalent to 177.1 acres or 71.67 ha.

Example Sentences

[…]So I ſet myſelf to enlarge my Cave and Works farther into the Earth; for it was a looſe ſandy Rock, which yielded eaſily to the Labour I beſtowed on it[…]

Being a labour of so great difficulty, the exact performance thereof we may rather wish than look for.

In the autumn there was a row at some cement works about the unskilled labour men. A union had just been started for them and all but a few joined. One of these blacklegs was laid for by a picket and knocked out of time.

Near-synonyms: childbirth, parturition

Paul Doherty came to the rescue when his wife Georgina went into labour early just minutes from their local hospital.

the establishment of a new settlement are entitled to five sitios of grazing land, and five labors (equal to 23,025 acres)

Standing on the mountain above Caerphilly, one may reflect upon the gap where once stood Llanbradach Viaduct, and look near at hand upon the restored ruins of Caerphilly Castle; man labours to rebuild the mediaeval whilst he ruthlessly scraps the modern.

"Crab" 2-6-0 No 42802 labours up to Beattock Summit with a northbound freight from Carlisle in August 1960.

Synonyms for labour

Antonyms for labour

Related Words

Word Forms

• labours
• labor
• labouring
• laboured

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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