n. Work done by a human being or an animal; exertion of body or mind, or both, for the accomplishment of an end; effort made to attain useful results, in distinction from exercise for the sake of recreation or amusement.n. Specifically, bodily toil; physical exertion for the sake of gain or reward; the use of muscular strength for the satisfaction of wants, in distinction from purely mental exertion and from the productive use of capital.n. Work done or to be done; that which requires exertion or effort; a work; a performance; an achievement: as, the twelve labors of Hercules.n. The laboring class; productive work as represented by those devoted to it: as, the claims or rights of labor; the labor -market.n. The pangs and efforts of childbirth; parturition; travail.n. (Sp. pron. lä-bōr′ ). In the quicksilver-mines of California, any place where work has been or is going on; especially, in the plural, those parts of the mine from which ore is being extracted in some quantity; workings.n. Synonyms Toil, Drudgery, etc. (see work); effort, pains.To make a physical or mental effort to accomplish some end; exert the powers of body or mind for the attainment of some result; work; strive. The word often implies painful or strenuous effort.Specifically, to exert the muscular power of the body for the attainment of some end; engage in physical or manual toil.To be burdened; be oppressed with difficulties; proceed or act with difficulty: used absolutely, or followed by under or (formerly) of.To suffer the pangs of childbirth; be in travail.To move forward heavily and with difficulty; specifically, of a ship, to roll and pitch heavily in a seaway, or in such a manner as to bring a dangerous strain upon the masts, rigging, and hull.Synonyms To struggle, plod, drudge, slave, suffer.To cause to work; exercise.To work at; specifically, to till; cultivate.To produce by labor; make or work out with effort; expend labor on; strive for.To urge; labor with.To beat; belabor.n. A Mexican land-measure, equal to 177 acres.