hard labour

hard labour

A prisoner performs hard labour in a quarry.

Definition
  1. Noun (uncountable):
    • Punitive physical work: "hard labour" refers to a form of punishment in which a convicted person is required to perform strenuous, physically demanding tasks, often as part of a prison sentence. This typically involves activities such as breaking rocks, digging, or construction work, imposed by a court or penal system.
Usage Examples
  • (He was ordered to perform physically demanding work as punishment.)
  • (Strenuous work was used as a legal punishment historically.)
  • (He had to perform heavy physical tasks in a stone mine.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to be sentenced to hard labour": to receive a judicial order requiring physical work as punishment.

    • The judge sentenced the thief to three years of hard labour. (The court ordered the thief to perform strenuous work for three years.)

  • "hard labour camp": a prison facility where inmates are forced to perform hard labour.

    • Political dissidents were often sent to hard labour camps in remote regions. (They were imprisoned in facilities focused on forced physical work.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Labour (n): work, especially physical work.

    • The labour involved in building the wall was exhausting. (The physical work was tiring.)

  • Hard (adj): requiring great physical or mental effort.

    • This is a hard job that demands strength. (The job is difficult.)

  • Hard labourer (n): a person who performs hard labour.

    • The hard labourer worked from dawn until dusk. (The person doing forced physical work worked all day.)
Synonyms
  • Forced labour: work imposed on someone against their will, often as punishment.
  • Penal servitude: a punishment involving compulsory labour, typically for a fixed term.
  • Chain gang: a group of prisoners chained together while performing hard labour.
Related Idioms

  • "to do hard labour": to perform strenuous work as a punishment or duty.

    • He did hard labour in the prison yard every day. (He performed physically demanding work daily.)

  • "to be on hard labour": to be serving a sentence that includes forced physical work.

    • The convict was on hard labour for six months. (He was undergoing punishment involving strenuous tasks.)