laborer

[ ley-ber-er ]

noun

1. a person engaged in work that requires bodily strength rather than skill or training:

   a laborer in the field.

2. any worker.

Other Words From

• under·labor·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of laborer¹

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; labor, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Until the firm collapsed early this year, it was an agent for the exploitation of laborers who were often underpaid and working in unsafe conditions, all while shielding brands from direct responsibility.

From New York Times

Other analyses point to the nature of compensation, differentiating middle-class salary earners who receive regular paychecks from working-class laborers who are paid by the hour and may experience long stretches of unemployment.

From Salon

Roman Perea, 62, a day laborer who lives in the desert town of California City, waits for work opportunities at a local Home Depot each morning.

From Los Angeles Times

These operations provide tens of thousands of jobs to dockworkers, truck drivers and other laborers who help move this cargo.

From Los Angeles Times

Raids are also a limited enforcement tool, because they mostly lead to the arrest of laborers — not owners.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hand
• manual worker
• worker