laborer

noun

la·​bor·​er ˈlā-bər-ər How to pronounce laborer (audio)
: one that labors
specifically : a person who does unskilled physical work for wages

Examples of laborer in a Sentence

He has been working as a laborer on a construction project. they could only find work as laborers unloading cargo ships
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Industry celebrates Enbridge approval Industry and labor groups celebrated the approval Thursday, especially because Enbridge has contracted with Michaels Construction for the project that is expected to employ Wisconsin laborers. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 15 Nov. 2024 According to Boston University's Korean Diaspora Project, when the then-sovereign state was annexed by the U.S. in 1898, plantation owners in Hawaii requiring cheap labor led to an influx of Chinese workers from Canton, as well as laborers from Korea. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024 At Merced College, seven of the 23 students enrolled so far are farm laborers, according to a college spokesperson. Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2024 But since 2010, changes in the populations that were migrating, and the failure of Congress to update the system with new legal channels for refugees and laborers, have made asylum the default access for migrants coming to the southwest border. Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for laborer 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of laborer was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near laborer

Cite this Entry

“Laborer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laborer. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

laborer

noun
la·​bor·​er ˈlā-bər-ər How to pronounce laborer (audio)
: one that works
especially : a person who does unskilled physical work for wages

More from Merriam-Webster on laborer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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