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unpaid work

/ʌnˈpeɪd wɜrk/ · un·paid work
noun
  1. Work performed without receiving monetary compensation. She spent her weekends doing unpaid work at the community garden.
  2. Labor that is undertaken voluntarily, often for charitable or experiential reasons. Many students take on unpaid work as interns to gain experience in their field.
Did you know? The phrase "unpaid work" entered popular usage during the early 20th century as social reformers highlighted the exploitation of volunteers in charitable institutions.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 1 lookups Added Jul 19, 2026