child labor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to MediumFormal, Academic, Legal
Quick answer
What does “child labor” mean?
The employment of children in work that is harmful to their physical, mental, or social development.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The employment of children in work that is harmful to their physical, mental, or social development.
The use of minors in economic activities, often under exploitative conditions that deprive them of their childhood, education, or health.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK English predominantly uses 'child labour' (with 'u'), while US English uses 'child labor' (without 'u'). The concept and usage are otherwise identical.
Connotations
Equally negative and condemnatory in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US media and discourse due to historical contexts, but common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “child labor” in a Sentence
[Verb] + child labor (e.g., 'eliminate child labor')[Adjective] + child labor (e.g., 'widespread child labor')child labor + [Prepositional Phrase] (e.g., 'child labor in the supply chain')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “child labor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The charity campaigns to end child labour globally.
- New laws will help to child-labour-proof the supply chain.
American English
- The corporation was accused of child laboring in its overseas factories.
- They worked to child-labor-proof their sourcing policies.
adverb
British English
- The company sourced its materials child-labour-freely.
- They produced the goods child-labour-consciously.
American English
- The brand now operates child-labor-consciously.
- The mine was run child-labor-intensively.
adjective
British English
- The child-labour scandal damaged the brand's reputation.
- They published a child-labour-free certification.
American English
- The child-labor laws were strengthened last year.
- Consumers demand child-labor-free products.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in supply chain ethics, corporate social responsibility reports, and compliance audits.
Academic
Analyzed in sociology, economics, human rights, and development studies.
Everyday
Used in news discussions about global inequality and human rights abuses.
Technical
Defined in ILO conventions (e.g., Convention No. 182) with specific age and hazard criteria.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “child labor”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “child labor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “child labor”
- Using 'child labor' to refer to simple household chores.
- Misspelling 'labor/labour' according to the variant of English.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a child labor').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The term 'child labor' specifically refers to work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful to children, or that interferes with their schooling. Age-appropriate chores or light work that doesn't hinder education are generally not classified as child labor.
'Child work' is a broader, more neutral term that can include permissible activities. 'Child labor' is a legal and sociological term with a strongly negative connotation, implying exploitation and harm, and is often illegal.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the primary United Nations agency dealing with labor issues. Its conventions, particularly Minimum Age Convention No. 138 and Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention No. 182, define the global standards.
Yes, but such labels require rigorous, independent verification through supply chain audits. Due to the complexity of global supply chains, achieving and proving a completely child-labor-free status is challenging and is a key focus of ethical certification schemes.
The employment of children in work that is harmful to their physical, mental, or social development.
Child labor is usually formal, academic, legal in register.
Child labor: in British English it is pronounced /tʃaɪld ˈleɪ.bə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃaɪld ˈleɪ.bɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Born into bondage”
- “Small hands, big burdens”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CHILD LABOR = Children Losing All Basic Opportunities & Rights.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CANCER ON SOCIETY, A STOLEN CHILDHOOD, MODERN SLAVERY.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is a strong collocation with 'child labor'?