American English
/ˈleɪ.bɚ/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Work, especially physical work, that takes time and effort.
Practice out loudWork, especially physical work, that takes time and effort.
The farm still depends on manual labor.
They hired extra labor to finish the project.
Work is more common in everyday English. Labor often sounds more formal or refers to physical work.
manual labor · physical labor · hard labor · labor costs
The process of giving birth to a baby.
She went into labor early this morning.
After ten hours of labor, the baby was born.
labor pains · active labor · induce labor · early labor
be + in labor
go into labor
Workers as a group, especially workers represented by unions.
Organized labor opposed the new contract.
The company reached an agreement with labor.
organized labor · labor union · labor movement · labor rights
To work hard, especially physically or for a long time.
He labored in the fields from dawn to dusk.
She labored over the report all weekend.
Work hard is more common in everyday English. Labor sounds formal.
labor over a task · labor to finish something
labor over + noun
labor to + verb
to begin the process of giving birth
She went into labor on the way to the hospital.
workers and unions acting as a group
Organized labor called for safer workplaces.
a US holiday on the first Monday in September that honors workers
Our office is closed on Labor Day.