labour

[ ley-ber ]

noun

, Chiefly British.

1. labor.

labour

/ ˈleɪbə /

noun

1. productive work, esp physical toil done for wages
2. 1. the people, class, or workers involved in this, esp in contrast to management, capital, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a labour dispute

      labour relations

3. 1. difficult or arduous work or effort
   2. ( in combination )

      labour-saving

4. a particular job or task, esp of a difficult nature
5. 1. the process or effort of childbirth or the time during which this takes place
   2. ( as modifier )

      labour pains

6. labour of love
   something done for pleasure rather than gain

verb

1. intr to perform labour; work
2. intr; foll by for, etc to strive or work hard (for something)
3. intrusually foll byunder to be burdened (by) or be at a disadvantage (because of)

   to labour under a misapprehension

4. intr to make one's way with difficulty
5. tr to deal with or treat too persistently

   to labour a point

6. intr (of a woman) to be in labour
7. intr (of a ship) to pitch and toss

Spelling Note

See -or ¹.

Derived Forms

• ˈlabouringly, adverb

Other Words From

• anti·labour adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of labour¹

C13: via Old French from Latin labor; perhaps related to lābī to fall

Example Sentences

They said he had initially been asked his views in a private meeting of Labour MPs, but once that leaked, he felt it necessary to explain publicly why he had come to his opinion.

From BBC

Her words contrast with those of Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who called Trump "racist", "sexist" and a "homophobe" in an interview in May and urged his party to "call him out".

From BBC

But the Conservatives claimed Labour had left a "black hole" in council finances.

From BBC

Gauke told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that this autumn's crisis release of prisoners was unavoidable for the new Labour government because of "the circumstances they inherited".

From BBC

Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs stood in opposition to the scheme.

From BBC