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.
Those responsible for homeland security should not be chasing laborers on farms and busboys in restaurants in order to meet quotas imposed by the White House. Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 19 June 2025 At the same time, industrial facilities lured laborers into factories and mills as fewer were needed to work the land. Riley Robinson, Christian Science Monitor, 8 June 2025 The first time, she was arrested for acting as an amateur publicist for laborers who were striking to protest unpaid wages at a sugarcane factory. Robin Wright, New Yorker, 26 May 2025 Outdoor laborers can be especially vulnerable because, in addition to the danger posed by the ambient heat, their work often raises their body temperature. The Editors, Scientific American, 20 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Laborer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laborer. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

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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