worker

noun

work·​er ˈwər-kər How to pronounce worker (audio)
1
a
: one that works especially at manual or industrial labor or with a particular material
a factory worker
often used in combination
b
: a member of the working class
2
: any of the sexually underdeveloped and usually sterile members of a colony of social ants, bees, wasps, or termites that perform most of the labor and protective duties of the colony

Examples of worker in a Sentence

The company is planning to hire 200 workers. The average worker earned $1,000 more this year. If management doesn't make the changes, the workers will go on strike. They are both hard workers.
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.
The share of businesses planning to hire more workers increased by 3 points to 18%, the highest in a year. Lucia Mutikani, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024 Supporters say that this will boost workers’ rights and guard against exploitative work in Kenya’s data labeling sector, which is booming thanks to growing demand for AI training data. Billy Perrigo, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024 Last week, tens of thousands of workers at Volkswagen, Germany’s largest manufacturer, took part in strikes at plants across the country. Anna Cooban, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024 Judges in Washington and Oregon on Tuesday blocked the deal, delivering a win to federal regulators and consumer advocates who argued the merger could harm competition, consumers and workers and push prices up. Taylor Giorno, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for worker 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near worker

Cite this Entry

“Worker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worker. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

worker

noun
work·​er ˈwər-kər How to pronounce worker (audio)
1
a
: one that works
b
: a member of the working class
2
: one of the members of a colony of social ants, bees, wasps, or termites that are only partially developed sexually and that perform most of the labor and protective duties of the colony

More from Merriam-Webster on worker

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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