plural travails
1
formal
: a difficult experience or situation
—usually plural
The book describes the political travails of the President during his first year in office.
2
literary
: painful or difficult work or effort
They finally succeeded after many months of travail.
Cite this Entry
“Travail.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/travail. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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