Labor

Definition

Labor can function as a noun meaning work, especially physical work, or the collective workforce; as a verb, it means to work hard or to exert effort, and in a medical context (chiefly in U.S. usage spelled labor) it denotes the process of childbirth.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb (intransitive/transitive)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /ˈleɪ.bər/
• Respelling: LAY-buhr

British English

• IPA: /ˈleɪ.bə/
• Respelling: LAY-buh

Etymology

Middle English: from Old French labour ‘toil, work,’ from Latin labor ‘work, task, hardship.’

Derivatives

• laborious (adjective)
• labored (adjective; verb past)
• laboring (verb gerund/participle)
• laboratory (noun)
• collaborate (verb)

Synonyms

• work
• toil
• drudgery
• endeavor
• effort

Antonyms

• rest
• leisure
• idle
• laziness
• ease

Usage

Noun: The noun "labor" is used in economic, social, and medical contexts to refer to work or the workforce and the process of childbirth. For example, "Manual labor can be physically demanding," or "She went into labor at midnight."

Verb: As a verb, "to labor" means to work hard or to proceed with difficulty. For example, "He labored over the report until dawn," or "The old engine labored up the hill under the heavy load."

Related Terms

• Workforce: The total number of workers employed or available for work.
• Employment: The condition of having paid work.
• Toil: Hard, continuous work.
• Childbirth: The process of giving birth to a baby.
• Overtime: Hours worked beyond the standard work schedule.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• Work, especially physical or hard work – effort or exertion performed to accomplish a task.
  • Example: "Farm labor during harvest is exhausting."
• The collective workforce; the labor force – the body of individuals available for work.
  • Example: "Manufacturing relies on cheap labor."
• The process of childbirth – the series of contractions leading to delivery of a baby.
  • Example: "She was in labor for over twelve hours."

Verb

• To work hard; to exert effort – to engage in strenuous activity or toil.
  • Example: "He labored every day to support his family."
• To proceed with difficulty or strain – to operate under burden or resistance.
  • Example: "The old machinery labored under the heavy load."