How to pronounce labor
Say it like LAY-ber. Labor has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce labor. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LAY
- ber
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Labor pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- berKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of labor
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: LAY-buh.
What does labor mean?
- a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages“there is a shortage of skilled labor in this field”
- productive work (especially physical work done for wages)“his labor did not require a great deal of skill”
- concluding state of pregnancy; from the onset of contractions to the birth of a child“she was in labor for six hours”
- strive and make an effort to reach a goal“She tugged for years to make a decent living”“We have to push a little to make the deadline!”
- work hard“She was digging away at her math homework”“Lexicographers drudge all day long”
- undergo the efforts of childbirth
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with labor
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of labor.
Words that sound like labor
Questions about saying labor
How do you pronounce labor?
Say LAY-ber. The American pronunciation is /ˈleɪbɚ/. In British English it is /ˈleɪbə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in labor?
Labor has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAY). Broken into parts: LAY · ber.
Is labor pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈleɪbə/ (LAY-buh).
What words sound the same as labor?
Labor sounds the same as labour in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.