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labour

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noun British English pronunciation: labour /ˈleɪbə(r)/ 
Word Forms
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singularlabour
plurallabours
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [uncountable] economics the workers in a particular country, industry, or company considered as a group

    the declining demand for labour in agriculture

    a plentiful supply of cheap labour

    skilled/unskilled labour:

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

    casual labour (=people who are not employed regularly):

    Hotel managers need skilled staff and can't afford to rely on casual labour.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of labour
    1. a.
      the organizations to which workers belong, or their leaders, considered as a group

      a meeting between management and labour

      organized labour:

      In the 1960s the strength of organized labour was becoming more apparent.

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

      a labour dispute

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

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of labour
  2. 2
    [uncountable] work

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

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

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of labour
    1. a.

      labour

       or

      labours

      formal       work, especially hard physical work

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

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of labour
    See also  hard labour, labourer, labour of love
  3. 3
    [singular/uncountable] the process by which a baby is pushed from its mother's body when she is giving birth to it

    drugs to ensure pain-free labour and delivery

    go into labour:

    She went into labour early this morning.

    be in labour:

    His wife was in labour for six hours.

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

      labour pains

      a labour ward

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of labour

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

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for labour.

 

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