labor-intensive

adjective

la·​bor-in·​ten·​sive ˈlā-bər-in-ˌten(t)-siv How to pronounce labor-intensive (audio)
: having high labor costs per unit of output
especially : requiring greater expenditure on labor than in capital

Examples of labor-intensive in a Sentence

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.
Developing and running the computer models is quite labor-intensive, Tallapragada explains. Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 19 May 2025 That includes things such as small fasteners, labor-intensive wiring harnesses and almost $5,000 in semiconductors per vehicle, which are currently sourced largely from Asia. Michael Wayland, CNBC, 16 May 2025 Agencies are required to submit thousands of labor-intensive reports annually, many of which are completely ignored. Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 14 May 2025 These aren’t simple blends—they’re labor-intensive, high-concept creations that draw from over 200 acres across five distinct Sonoma AVAs, including estate vines planted as far back as 1912. Emily Price, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for labor-intensive

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of labor-intensive was in 1928

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Cite this Entry

“Labor-intensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labor-intensive. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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