hard labor

noun

: compulsory labor of imprisoned criminals as a part of the prison discipline

Examples of hard labor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Roughly one in five inmates died from hard labor, cruel treatment, and the severe deprivations of the camps. Maria Lipman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024 The Wyoming High School graduate and University of Virginia student from Ohio had been sentenced to 15 years in prison with hard labor on subversion charges related to trying to steal a propaganda banner while visiting with a tour group. Scott Wartman and Meg Kinnard, The Enquirer, 20 Jan. 2024 Baldwin added that there’s a misconception and fear that construction involves hard labor all the time. Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 28 May 2024 Supporters of the Amendment also argued that hard labor and a lack of schooling imperiled not just child workers, but the nation. Janet Golden / Made By History, TIME, 23 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for hard labor 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hard labor.' 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

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard labor was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near hard labor

Cite this Entry

“Hard labor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard%20labor. Accessed 18 Jun. 2024.

Legal Definition

hard labor

noun
: compulsory labor imposed upon prisoners as part of a sentence or as prison discipline
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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