day laborer

noun

: one who works for daily wages especially as an unskilled laborer

Examples of day laborer in a Sentence

They hire day laborers to pick the apples.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The home improvement retailer traditionally has been a place documented and undocumented day laborers gather to pick up jobs as roofers, painters and construction workers. Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025 Immigration officials have concentrated many of their raids on Home Depots and other home improvement retailers that day laborers are known to frequent. Colin Sheeley, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2025 Matsuda said some students whose parents worked as day laborers at Home Depot are now thinking about careers in cybersecurity or biotech, taking dual credit courses through community college and graduating into well-paying jobs. Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025 Authorities had alleged that Haskell had hired four day laborers on Nov. 7, 2023 to dispose of several large trash bags, which one of the laborers said contained body parts. Liam Quinn, People.com, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for day laborer

Word History

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of day laborer was in 1528

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Day laborer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/day%20laborer. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

day laborer

noun
: one who works by the day or for daily wages especially as an unskilled laborer
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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