labor

la-bor · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Work, especially hard physical work.

  2. 2.

    Workers, especially manual workers, considered collectively.

  3. 3.

    The process of childbirth, especially the period from the start of uterine contractions to delivery.

  4. 4.

    Work hard; make great effort.

  5. 5.

    Have difficulty despite working hard.

Forms

plural: labors

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    labor of love — Work done for pleasure, not profit.
  • •
    in labor — In the process of childbirth.
  • •
    labor under — Work while affected by (a misconception, difficulty).
  • •
    labor the point — Explain something at excessive length.
  • •
    Labor Day — A holiday celebrating workers (first Monday in September in the US).

Related words

Antonyms: idleness, leisure, rest
See also: effort, labour, work, worker
Synonyms: effort, exertion, toil, work

Etymology

From Latin labor ("toil, work, exertion"), possibly related to labāre ("to totter, waver"). The spelling "labor" is American English; British English uses "labour."