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

The Biden administration announced a new rule yesterday that would make millions of white collar workers newly eligible for overtime pay. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024

Its houses were built to support the population of workers employed by The Mecklenburg Mill, Highland Park #3 factories, and others, manufacturing everything from gingham to women’s hosiery. —Ben Jarrell, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 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