labour

• 名词，可指为获得报酬而进行的体力或手工劳动，也可指受雇劳动者的社会阶层，或指从分娩开始到婴儿出生的生产过程。

A noun that can refer to manual or physical work done for wages, the social class of wage earners, or the process of childbirth from the onset of contractions to delivery.

不可数

1. Working class / Labor classB2formalbritishpolitical

   The social group of people who do manual work or earn wages, especially in contrast to capital or management.

   劳动阶级

   • The Labour Party traditionally represents the interests of labour.
   • The division between capital and labour has shaped modern economies.
   • Skilled labour is in high demand in the construction industry.

   同义词proletariatworkforceworking class

   反义词capitalmanagement

2. Childbirth / ParturitionB2formalmedical

   The final stage of pregnancy marked by regular contractions of the uterus leading to the birth of a baby.

   分娩

   • She was in labour for twelve hours before giving birth.
   • The midwife monitored the progress of labour carefully.
   • Induced labour is sometimes necessary for medical reasons.
   • Labour can be a very painful but rewarding experience.

   同义词accouchementbirthchildbirthconfinementdeliveryparturitiontravail

3. Productive work / Manual workB1formalbritish

   Physical or mental effort directed toward producing goods, services, or results, often for wages.

   生产劳动 / 体力劳动

   • Hard labour is required to build a road through the mountains.
   • The factory relies on cheap labour from migrant workers.
   • He was sentenced to ten years of hard labour in prison.
   • The cost of labour is a major factor in the company's budget.

   同义词drudgeryeffortemploymentexertionindustrytoilwork