worker

noun

work·​er ˈwər-kər 

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

Synonyms of worker

• laborer
• slave

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

The coalition will try to negotiate a new contract that will preserve or revise the pension and retirement healthcare benefits workers have enjoyed for decades. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026

The majority of those call-center workers continue to be South Siders, a Capital One spokeswoman tells us. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Currently, health workers deliver oral PrEP to several nearby island communities by boat — with each trip costing at least $100. — Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026

Lawmakers in Albany are also considering stiffer penalties for drivers who kill and maim road workers. — Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing worker

• care worker
• co-worker
• day worker
• gig worker
• guest worker
• sex worker
• voluntary worker
• wonder-worker
• worker-priest

Rhymes for worker

• caseworker
• coworker
• farmworker
• woodworker

Kids Definition

worker

noun

work·​er ˈwər-kər 

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