worker

noun

work·​er ˈwər-kər 

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

Synonyms

• dogsbody [chiefly British]
• drone
• drudge
• drudger
• foot soldier
• grub
• grubber
• grunt
• laborer
• peon
• plugger
• slave
• slogger
• toiler

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

According to the foundation, Germany needs almost 300,000 new workers per year until 2040 to head off the worst effects of demographic decline. —Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

Perhaps most disturbingly, the DRC’s cobalt workers include thousands of children. —Vince Beiser, TIME, 29 Nov. 2024

There are a few types of skills that middle-aged workers are gravitating towards. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2024

In a statement to the outlet, Amazon defended its treatment of workers. —Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing worker

• care worker
• co-worker
• day worker
• gig worker
• guest worker
• sex worker
• voluntary worker
• wonder-worker
• worker-priest

Kids Definition

worker

noun

work·​er ˈwər-kər 

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