child labor

noun

: the employment of a child in a business or industry especially in violation of state or federal statutes prohibiting the employment of children under a specified age

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of child labor was in 1817

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near child labor

Cite this Entry

“Child labor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/child%20labor. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!