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labor

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noun American English pronunciation: labor /ˈleɪbər/
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [uncountable] all the workers in a particular country, industry, or company considered as a group

    the declining demand for labor in agriculture

    a plentiful supply of cheap labor

    skilled/unskilled labor:

    The demand for skilled labor in the building industry is high.

    casual labor:

    Hotel managers need skilled, helpful staff and can't afford to rely on casual labor.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of labor
    1. a.
      [uncountable] the organizations to which workers belong. or their leaders considered as a group

      a meeting between management and labor

      organized labor:

      The Republican-controlled Congress has reversed many of the laws that are critical to the survival of organized labor.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of labor
    2. b.
      [only before noun] relating to or involving workers

      a labor dispute

      labor costs:

      The company is passing its higher labor costs on to its customers.

      labor unrest:

      increasing labor unrest in the car industry

      labor relations (=relationships between employers and workers):

      The agreements were hailed as "a quantum leap for workers and future labor relations."

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of labor
    See also  slave labor
  2. 2
    [uncountable] work

    the traditional division of labor between men and women in the home

    The price quoted includes the cost of all labor and materials.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of labor
    1. a.

      labor

       or

      labors

       [uncountable] formal work that involves effort, especially physical effort

      In return for his labors, he receives food and shelter.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of labor
  3. 3
    [singular/uncountable] the process by which a baby is pushed from its mother's body when she is giving birth to it
    in labor:

    She was in labor for six hours.

    go into labor:

    She went into labor early this morning.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of labor
    1. a.
      [only before noun] relating to a woman's labor when she is giving birth to a baby
      labor pains:

      My wife called to say that her labor pains had started.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of labor

phrase

This is the American English definition of labor. View British English definition of labor.

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