worker

noun

work·​er ˈwər-kər How to pronounce worker (audio)
1
a
: one that works especially at manual or industrial labor or with a particular material
a factory worker
often used in combination
b
: a member of the working class
2
: any of the sexually underdeveloped and usually sterile members of a colony of social ants, bees, wasps, or termites that perform most of the labor and protective duties of the colony

Examples of worker in a Sentence

The company is planning to hire 200 workers. The average worker earned $1,000 more this year. If management doesn't make the changes, the workers will go on strike. They are both hard workers.
Recent Examples on the Web The agency rarely cites employers for unsafe heat conditions before one of their workers is injured or killed. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 The Fairfax Connector workers’ union reached a tentative agreement with the private company that operates the buses Tuesday evening following a strike that has suspended bus service for nearly two weeks. Danny Nguyen, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Both JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs have already ordered workers back to the office five days a week. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 Current federal law offers job protections for many Americans, for up to 12 weeks, but the leave is unpaid and excludes many lower-income workers. Cory Turner, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 Taipei currently allows migrant workers from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines to work in the island, according to the labor ministry. Vedika Sud in New Delhi contributed to this report. Diksha Madhok, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 While voters may not notice GDP on a personal level, a growing economy enables companies to expand and hire more workers. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024 That connection will pay dividends not only for businesses but also for workers. Ed Beltran, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Two hundred and six workers voted to join the United Auto Workers union in the count, while 13 workers voted against unionizing. Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'worker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of worker was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near worker

Cite this Entry

“Worker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worker. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

worker

noun
work·​er ˈwər-kər How to pronounce worker (audio)
1
a
: one that works
b
: a member of the working class
2
: one of the members of a colony of social ants, bees, wasps, or termites that are only partially developed sexually and that perform most of the labor and protective duties of the colony

More from Merriam-Webster on worker

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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