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 Courts-martial for cowardice were common and often ended in humiliation, imprisonment at hard labor, and even physical branding or execution. Chris Walsh, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2015 He was sentenced to 14 years at a hard labor camp in Russia. Darya Tarasova, CNN, 15 Aug. 2024 Intellectuals were forced into reeducation through hard labor. Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 5 Sep. 2024 Lee noticed that the dancers began training at an early age and were spared from hard labor. Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hard labor 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hard labor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard labor was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near hard labor

Cite this Entry

“Hard labor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard%20labor. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

hard labor

noun
: compulsory labor imposed upon prisoners as part of a sentence or as prison discipline
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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