worker

noun

work·​er ˈwər-kər How to pronounce worker (audio)
1
a
: one that works especially at manual or industrial labor or with a particular material
a factory worker
often used in combination
b
: a member of the working class
2
: any of the sexually underdeveloped and usually sterile members of a colony of social ants, bees, wasps, or termites that perform most of the labor and protective duties of the colony

Examples of worker in a Sentence

The company is planning to hire 200 workers. The average worker earned $1,000 more this year. If management doesn't make the changes, the workers will go on strike. They are both hard workers.
Recent Examples on the Web Some of the more than 60 current and former Reddit workers and moderators contacted for that story described the tools developed to police bad behavior on the video and audio services as inadequate. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 18 Mar. 2024 The union had spoken about getting the support of 70% of the workers before filing for a vote. Chris Isidore, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 Bloomberg - Tech workers are coming to terms with a brutal new reality: Learn AI or expect a smaller paycheck. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 Last month, workers at a Hyundai plant in Alabama also hit that milestone, the union said. Jeanne Whalen, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 Expect delays, look for alternate routes, follow detour signage, and be aware of utility workers, flags, and cones in this area, the release states. Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 18 Mar. 2024 Average weekly working hours per worker has declined from about 39 in 1951 to about 34 today. The Editors, National Review, 18 Mar. 2024 Along with Uber, Deliveroo campaigned against an EU law that would see 5.5 million gig economy workers in Europe recognized as employees, giving them access to benefits like sick leave, minimum wages, and paid time off. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 18 Mar. 2024 Detroit plans to name its new transit center near a massive Amazon fulfillment center off Eight Mile Road in honor of a bus driver whose death from COVID-19 in 2020 highlighted the life-threatening risks facing essential workers at the time. Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'worker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of worker was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near worker

Cite this Entry

“Worker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worker. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

worker

noun
work·​er ˈwər-kər How to pronounce worker (audio)
1
a
: one that works
b
: a member of the working class
2
: one of the members of a colony of social ants, bees, wasps, or termites that are only partially developed sexually and that perform most of the labor and protective duties of the colony

More from Merriam-Webster on worker

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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