labour
An effort expended on a particular task; toil, work.
Noun 4 meanings
An effort expended on a particular task; toil, work.
That which requires hard work for its accomplishment; that which demands effort.
Workers in general; the working class, the workforce; sometimes specifically the labour movement, organised labour.
A political party or force aiming or claiming to represent the interests of labour.
Verb 4 meanings
To toil, to work.
To belabour, to emphasise or expand upon (a point in a debate, etc).
“I think we've all got the idea. There's no need to labour the point.”
To be oppressed with difficulties or disease; to do one's work under conditions which make it especially hard or wearisome; to move slowly, as against opposition, or under a burden.
To suffer the pangs of childbirth.
Etymology
From Middle English labouren, from Old French laborer, from Latin laborare (“(intransitive) to labor, strive, exert oneself, suffer, be in distress, (transitive) to work out, elaborate”), from labor (“labor, toil, work, exertion”); perhaps remotely akin to robur (“strength”).
Similar and opposite words
LABOUR at a glance
LABOUR has 6 letters and scores 8 points in Scrabble (L 1 + A 1 + B 3 + O 1 + U 1 + R 1) and 11 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #1,995 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with labour
All rhymesOne letter away
- TABOUR8
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