hard labor

noun

: compulsory labor of imprisoned criminals as a part of the prison discipline

Examples of hard labor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If discovered, Christians face being forced into a political prison camp, hard labor or execution. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025

Ranch hands Ennis del Mar and Jack Twist share a tent and hard labor like all cowboys do, but their fellowship evolves into something deeper. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024

Instead of the electric chair, Herndon would have suffered a slow, painful death through hard labor. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025

Warmbier, 22, a University of Virginia student, stole a propaganda banner from a hotel during a visit to Pyongyang in January 2016 and was later sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for committing a hostile act against the government. —Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hard labor

• belabor
• nonlabor
• neighbor
• neighbour
• saber
• sabre
• tabor

Legal Definition

hard labor

noun

: compulsory labor imposed upon prisoners as part of a sentence or as prison discipline