Travail: meaning, definitions and examples

work effort

Travail is often used to describe a significant amount of work or labor, especially if it is arduous or challenging. It can refer to the physical or mental exertion required to complete a task. This term is often associated with a sense of struggle or hardship, even when describing routine tasks. Historically, travail has been used to highlight the burdensome nature of certain types of work, especially in contexts related to childbirth or intense labor.

hardship, labor, struggle, toil

Examples of usage

• The travail of laborers is often overlooked.

• She spoke of the travail involved in raising a family.

• The artist described the travail that goes into creating a masterpiece.