What is labor? Pronunciation and usage in English

labor means . Learn how to pronounce and use labor through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of labor

labornoun

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Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "labor" in English. It's a tricky one because it's spelled similarly to how it's pronounced in some other languages!

Here's a breakdown:

  • The "a" sound: This is the most important part. It sounds like the "a" in "father" or "car". It's a long "a" sound.

  • The "or" sound: This is where it gets tricky. It's not like the "or" in "more" or "for." Instead, it sounds like the "o" in "born" or "storm." It's a short, rounded "o" sound.

Putting it together:

The word "labor" is pronounced "lay-ber" (rhymes with "payer" or "day-ber").

Here's a helpful tip:

Think of it like saying "lay" and then "ber" quickly together.

Resources to hear it:

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Usage and examples with the word labor in English

Let's break down how to use the word "labor" in English. It's a versatile word with a few distinct meanings, often carrying a slightly more formal or historical feel than words like "work." Here's a detailed look:

1. As a Noun: (Referring to work, especially hard or manual work)

  • Most common usage: This is the most frequent way to use “labor.” It refers to physical or mental exertion, especially when it’s difficult or demanding.

    • Example: “The construction workers faced arduous labor under the scorching sun.”
    • Example: “The labor of raising a family can be exhausting.”
    • Example: “The detective spent weeks meticulously examining the crime scene – a long labor of analysis.”

  • Specifically relating to childbirth: “The labor process took nearly 24 hours.” (This is a very common and specific use.)

  • Referring to a profession (often older/traditional): “He inherited his father’s labor as a blacksmith.” (Think of a trade or craft.)

2. As a Noun: (The efforts of workers – often in relation to unions and wages)

  • Collective work: "The labor movement fought for better wages and working conditions."
  • Unionized workforce: "The factory employed a large labor force."
  • Economic context: "The decline in labor costs contributed to the company's profits."

3. As a Verb: (To work hard; to strive; to strive intensely)

  • Formal and emphasizes effort: “She labored tirelessly to complete the project.” (Stronger than saying “worked hard.”)
  • Giving great effort to understand or achieve something: "He labored over the mathematical proof for months."
  • To exert oneself: “The athlete labored to win the race.”
  • To attempt to persuade or convince: “He tried to labor her into agreeing.” (More literary than "try to convince.")

Key Differences & Nuances:

  • "Work" vs. "Labor": "Work" is a general term for activity. "Labor" implies more strenuous effort, difficulty, or intensity.
  • "Strive" vs. "Labor": “Strive” is a more general word for making an effort. "Labor" suggests a deeper, more sustained, and potentially challenging undertaking.

Here’s a table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Noun (Singular) Hard work, especially physical The farmer's labor sustained him.
Noun (Singular) Childbirth process The labor period was long.
Noun (Plural) Efforts of workers; workforce The labor force needs training.
Verb To work hard; to strive intensely She labored to finish her essay.

Resources for Further Exploration:

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  • What kind of context are you thinking about using “labor” in? (e.g., writing a story, a formal essay, a conversation, etc.)
  • Is there a specific sentence you're trying to construct that uses the word?

Synonyms for the word labor

Idioms of the word labor

a labor of love
a hard task that you do because you want to, not because it is necessary
  • Writing the book was a labor of love.

Practice with vocabulary labor

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The construction of the new bridge demanded an immense amount of manual ____________ from the engineering team.
  2. After months of dedicated ____________, the research team finally achieved a breakthrough in their study.
  3. Delegating this crucial ____________ to a junior employee might prove to be a significant risk.
  4. To optimize operational costs, many multinational corporations consider outsourcing their non-core ____________ functions to countries with lower wages.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. The factory experienced a significant shortage of skilled ____________, leading to delays in production. A) personnel B) staff C) labor D) resources
  2. The organization provides support for individuals involved in agricultural ____________, often facing challenging conditions. A) employment B) labor C) tasks D) work
  3. The team continued to ____________ tirelessly through the night to meet the deadline. A) work B) persist C) strive D) labor
  4. Completing such an intricate ____________ requires meticulous planning and execution. A) assignment B) enterprise C) endeavor D) chore
  5. The quarterly ____________ reports showed a significant increase in efficiency across all departments. A) performance B) outcome C) production D) findings

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The team worked extremely hard to ensure the project met its stringent deadline. Rewrite the sentence using a form of "labor":
  2. Original: The factory is experiencing a shortage of manufacturing personnel. Rewrite the sentence using the word "labor":
  3. Original: The task required a great deal of physical work. Rewrite the sentence without using "labor", but a suitable replacement word:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. labor
  2. effort
  3. task
  4. labor

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A) personnel, B) staff, C) labor
  2. B) labor, D) work
  3. A) work, C) strive, D) labor
  4. A) assignment, B) enterprise, C) endeavor
  5. A) performance, C) production

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The team labored tirelessly to ensure the project met its stringent deadline.
  2. The factory is experiencing a shortage of manufacturing labor.
  3. The task required a great deal of physical exertion.

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