labour

[ley-ber]

noun

Chiefly British.

1. labor.

labour

/ ˈleɪbə /

noun

1. productive work, esp physical toil done for wages

2. 1. the people, class, or workers involved in this, esp in contrast to management, capital, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a labour dispute

      labour relations

3. 1. difficult or arduous work or effort

   2. ( in combination )

      labour-saving

4. a particular job or task, esp of a difficult nature

5. 1. the process or effort of childbirth or the time during which this takes place

   2. ( as modifier )

      labour pains

6. something done for pleasure rather than gain

verb

1. (intr) to perform labour; work

2. (intr; foll by for, etc) to strive or work hard (for something)

3. to be burdened (by) or be at a disadvantage (because of)

   to labour under a misapprehension

4. (intr) to make one's way with difficulty

5. (tr) to deal with or treat too persistently

   to labour a point

6. (intr) (of a woman) to be in labour

7. (intr) (of a ship) to pitch and toss

Spelling Note

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

• labouringly adverb
• antilabour adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of labour¹

C13: via Old French from Latin labor; perhaps related to lābī to fall

Example Sentences

"The warning bell that rang in the labour market a month ago just got louder," said Olu Sonola, head of US economic research for Fitch Ratings.

From BBC

Ms Shuttleworth added that along with the rising cost of labour, the impact of shoplifting continued to grow.

From BBC

"I'm excited for everyone to see the fruits of their labour, and meet me at my stillest."

From BBC

"We are restricting asylum, we're keeping borders closed, but we also need to find labour migrants to fill shortages and help our national economy."

From BBC

"It's slow, laboured, because you're in the hands of other people."

From BBC