labor

n. hard physical or mental work.

n. physical or mental exertion, especially when difficult or compulsory.

“Building the stone wall required months of heavy labor in the sun.”

“The restoration of the cathedral was a true labor of love, involving hundreds of volunteers who dedicated their weekends to the project.”

American English

n. workers looked at as a group, especially those who do physical work.

n. workers collectively, often in contrast to management or capital.

“The company is trying to reduce its labor costs by using more machines.”

“The tension between organized labor and the corporate board led to a series of strikes that paralyzed the manufacturing sector for weeks.”

American English

n. the period of time and the process of giving birth to a baby.

n. the process of childbirth, specifically the period from the onset of uterine contractions to the expulsion of the fetus.

“She was in labor for twelve hours before the baby was finally born.”

“Medical staff monitored the patient closely throughout the final stages of labor to ensure there were no complications for the infant.”

American English

v. to work very hard at a difficult task.

v. to exert oneself physically or mentally; to work strenuously.

“The farmers labored in the fields from dawn until dusk.”

“The researchers labored for years under difficult conditions before they finally achieved a breakthrough in the treatment of the disease.”

American English

v. to move or breathe with a lot of effort.

v. to proceed or function with great effort or difficulty.

“The old truck labored up the steep hill, making a loud noise.”

“The engine labored under the immense weight of the cargo, eventually stalling just as the convoy reached the mountain pass.”

American English · Formal