working-class

1 of 2

adjective

work·​ing-class ˈwər-kiŋ-ˈklas How to pronounce working-class (audio)
: of, relating to, deriving from, or suitable to the class of wage earners
working-class virtues
a working-class family

working class

2 of 2

noun

: the class of people who work for wages usually at manual labor

Examples of working-class in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Instead of treating cuts as unavoidable, New York lawmakers should be developing plans to protect working-class New Yorkers from federal austerity and economic turmoil. Nathan Gusdorf, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025 These predominantly lower- and working-class Black communities in film were hyper-violent zones where the only thing destined for young Black males was constant tragedy. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
Sage made that announcement official Wednesday; in his campaign launch and an interview with The Hill ahead of his announcement, Sage emphasized fighting for the working class, including advocating for better health care and better pay. Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025 Lopakhin and Varya are pushed together throughout the play, but poor Varya, also born working class, will never be able to break through the part of Lopakhin that still idolizes the very nobility that oppressed his family for generations. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for working-class

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1757, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of working-class was in 1757

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Working-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/working-class. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

working class

noun
: the class of people who work for wages usually in manual labor
working-class adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on working-class

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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