labour

[ˈleɪbər]

labour Definition

  • 1work, especially physical work
  • 2workers collectively, especially those engaged in manual or industrial work
  • 3the process of giving birth

Using labour: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "labour" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The labour of carrying heavy boxes up the stairs was exhausting.

  • Example

    The factory employs a large number of skilled labourers.

  • Example

    She went into labour at midnight and gave birth to a healthy baby boy in the morning.

labour Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for labour

Idioms Using labour

  • a task requiring great effort and strength

    Example

    Cleaning out the garage was a real labour of Hercules.

  • experiencing the process of giving birth

    Example

    She was in labour for several hours before the baby was born.

  • to be mistaken about something

    Example

    He had been labouring under a misapprehension about the company's finances.

Phrases with labour

  • work done for pleasure, not reward

    Example

    He spent years restoring the old car as a labour of love.

  • physical work done by hand

    Example

    Many people in the area are employed in manual labour jobs.

  • painful contractions of the uterus that occur during childbirth

    Example

    She was given medication to help manage the labour pains.

Origins of labour

from Old French 'labour', from Latin 'labor', meaning 'toil, exertion'

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Summary: labour in Brief

The term 'labour' [ˈleɪbər] refers to work, especially physical work, and workers collectively, often in manual or industrial contexts. It also denotes the process of giving birth, as in 'She went into labour at midnight.' The phrase 'labour of love' describes work done for pleasure, while 'manual labour' refers to physical work done by hand. Idioms like 'a labour of Hercules' and 'labour under a misapprehension' convey the sense of a difficult task and being mistaken about something, respectively.

How do native speakers use this expression?