labor-intensive
adjective
la·bor-in·ten·sive
ˈlā-bər-in-ˌten(t)-siv 
: 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
Upgrading energy infrastructure is labor-intensive, technical work that relies on electricians, line workers, HVAC technicians, and power engineers, not software alone.
—
Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025
Although more expensive and labor-intensive, the practice replaces much of the Central Valley’s roughly 500,000 acres of rice with temporary wetlands during the winter, a semblance of how the land would naturally function without dams, and levees and civilization.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
While global brands are shifting to labor-intensive yet inexpensive production during this period, experience, product quality, and innovation will always maintain their strength.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
Its labor-intensive process, coupled with the lengthening season and a changing American economy, has made farmers rely increasingly on migrant labor through the government’s H-2A visa program, which supplies the agriculture industry with temporary foreign workers.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for labor-intensive
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.
Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025
Although more expensive and labor-intensive, the practice replaces much of the Central Valley’s roughly 500,000 acres of rice with temporary wetlands during the winter, a semblance of how the land would naturally function without dams, and levees and civilization.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
While global brands are shifting to labor-intensive yet inexpensive production during this period, experience, product quality, and innovation will always maintain their strength.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
Its labor-intensive process, coupled with the lengthening season and a changing American economy, has made farmers rely increasingly on migrant labor through the government’s H-2A visa program, which supplies the agriculture industry with temporary foreign workers.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for labor-intensive
Cite this Entry
“Labor-intensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labor-intensive. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share