What does farmworker mean?
A farmworker is an individual who is employed to work on a farm or agricultural land, performing tasks such as planting, harvesting, and tending to crops and livestock. Farmworkers play a crucial role in the production and distribution of food and other agricultural products. The term can refer to anyone who works on a farm, but often specifically refers to manual laborers who are employed by farm owners or managers. Farmworkers may work on large commercial farms or small family-owned farms, and their duties can vary depending on the type of farm and the time of year. Overall, farmworkers are essential to the agricultural industry and contribute significantly to the economy.
nounA person who works on a farm, especially one who is employed to do manual labor such as planting, harvesting, or tending to crops and livestock.
- A person employed to work on a farm.
- A person who works on their own farm or land.
"The farmworker carefully picked the ripe strawberries to be sold at the market."
"The farmworkers were exhausted after a long day of harvesting."
"As a farmworker, she was responsible for feeding and caring for the animals."
The plural form 'farmworkers' is used to refer to multiple individuals who work on a farm or farms.
"The farmworkers were exhausted after a long day of harvesting."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of farmworker
The term 'farmworker' originated in the late 19th century, combining 'farm' and 'worker'. The word 'farm' comes from the Old French 'ferme', meaning 'rent' or 'lease', which is derived from the Latin 'firmare', meaning 'to fix or settle'. The word 'worker' comes from the Old English 'weorcian', meaning 'to work'.
Usage notes
The term 'farmworker' can refer to anyone who works on a farm, including those who own or manage the land, but it often specifically refers to manual laborers.