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 Gallup poll found that about 4 in 10 workers say their organization has adopted AI tools or technology to improve organizational practices. —ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026

The bodies of the missing workers who were trapped following the parking garage collapse in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighborhood were recovered early Monday morning, Mayor Cherelle Parker said. —Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026

But there are other smart data workers. —Gabriel Debenedetti, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

But like engraving, repairing musical instruments and many other skilled trades, creating and fitting garments to individual specifications hasn’t attracted enough entry-level workers over the years to replace the professionals retiring their pincushions after decades of performing their craft. —Anne D'innocenzio, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 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