division of labor

noun phrase

: the breakdown of labor into its components and their distribution among different persons, groups, or machines to increase productive efficiency

Examples of division of labor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The division of labor between families and their government that parents have relied on is being dismantled. — Corinne Low, Time, 7 Aug. 2026

An overdue invoice, question about your salary or uneven division of labor becomes impossible to ignore. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

Beginning in the late 19th century, the office also produced a new gender division of labor, as more of the repetitive work—typing, filing, stenography—fell to a secretarial class of women with limited prospects for advancement. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026

That division of labor is more credible than the claim that an AI tutor can replace a teacher, and more useful than an answer engine that completes the work before the learning begins. — Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for division of labor

• belabor
• nonlabor
• neighbor
• neighbour
• saber
• sabre
• tabor