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 of worker

• laborer
• slave

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 Idaho Statesman began running investigative stories on auto airbag safety, early childhood education, immunization and workers’ compensation for farm workers. —Idaho Statesman, 16 Dec. 2025

There have been rampant complaints about noise, congestion and the sometimes erratic driving behavior of robotaxis, along with economic concerns about the impact of AVs on travel and transportation workers. —Lora Kolodny,jennifer Elias,annie Palmer, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025

The battery park, first announced in 2021, has faced delays, worker safety concerns, union organizing and most recently lawsuits. —Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Dec. 2025

The sitcom followed the two Milwaukee brewery workers and their hilarious hijinks over an eight-year run. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025

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

Rhymes for worker

• caseworker
• coworker
• farmworker
• woodworker

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