worker
The term primarily functions as a socio-economic descriptor, often distinguishing those who perform manual labor from those in managerial or professional roles. In a labor context, it carries connotations of productivity, employment status, and class identity, frequently appearing in discussions regarding rights and wages. In biological terms, the word describes a specialized caste within eusocial organisms. Here, the focus shifts from economic compensation to evolutionary survival, where the worker's value is defined by their contribution to the collective health and reproduction of the colony rather than individual gain.
A person or insect that works.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
social worker
a professional who helps people with social problems
She began her career as a social worker.
migrant worker
a person who moves from place to place to find work
The farm relies heavily on migrant workers.
healthcare worker
a person providing medical services
Healthcare workers faced immense pressure during the pandemic.
hard worker
a person who puts in a lot of effort
He has always been a hard worker.
knowledge worker
a person whose main capital is knowledge
The modern economy is driven by the knowledge worker.