laborer
noun
la·bor·er
ˈlā-bər-ər 
: 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
Mayor Bass also secured 17 positions for supply and maintenance staffing, including heavy-duty mechanics, mechanic helpers, tire repairers, maintenance laborers, toolroom workers, truck operators and more.
—
Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
An illiterate laborer and cook, Lee joined the Shaking Quaker sect in 1758.
—Claire Messud, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
Another report from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute estimated that 14% of California’s overall construction workforce is undocumented, including more than one in every four construction laborers.
—Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
And many of those apprentices — in skilled trades, electricians, laborers, carpenters — are already at work strengthening and building the physical foundations of our state.
—Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Laborer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laborer. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
laborer
noun
la·bor·er
ˈlā-bər-ər
: one that works
especially
: a person who does unskilled physical work for wages
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