concluding state of pregnancy; from the onset of contractions to the birth of a child
"she was in labor for six hours"
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
"he got an A for effort"
"they managed only with great exertion"
Arduous or painful exertion; excessive labor, suffering, hardship.
"After months of grueling travail to bring their new product to market, the team finally collapsed from exhaustion."
To toil.
"After months of grueling travail, the team finally finished constructing the bridge before the storm arrived."