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

In 1852, he was sentenced to eighteen months of hard labor for stealing five gallons of rum. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Back then, Canty was building gas plants in the West Texas desert, living in a single-bedroom apartment — or bouncing between friends’ guest bedrooms — and waking up before dawn to face another shift of hard labor. — Bill Forman, Daily News, 7 July 2026

In 1952 he was convicted for his role in a civil disobedience campaign and received a nine-month sentence of hard labor (suspended for two years). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 June 2026

But 50 refused and were sentenced to hard labor ranging from 8 to 15 years. — Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hard labor

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

Legal Definition

hard labor

noun

: compulsory labor imposed upon prisoners as part of a sentence or as prison discipline