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

Actual office workers were not sold on the function. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 June 2024

But the third person, a worker in Michigan, had respiratory symptoms, including a cough without a fever, that are more typical with influenza. —Sam Ogozalek, Orlando Sentinel, 23 June 2024

Mom of three and cultural worker Anna Lee Dozier was exploring 2A Thrift Store in Clinton, Maryland. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 23 June 2024

Pushing off a healthcare minimum wage hike Newsom signed a bill into law last year to give healthcare workers a minimum wage increase to $25 per hour. —Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 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