Definition

A place where workers are employed for long hours with low pay and poor working conditions.

Example

Many clothing brands have been criticized for using sweatshops to produce their products.

Conversation

Did you hear about that new clothing brand that's been called a sweatshop?

Yeah, I read an article about how their workers are treated poorly.

It's really upsetting to think people are working in such a sweatshop environment.

For sure, we should support brands that treat their employees fairly.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Sweatshop is formed from "sweat" (from Old English "swæt", meaning moisture or perspiration) and "shop" (from Old English "sceoppa", meaning a place for work or trade). The term "sweatshop" refers to a place where workers endure long hours in poor conditions for low wages, often leading to physical exertion and sweat.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sweat' as the moisture produced from hard work and 'shop' as a place where work is done. This helps you remember that a sweatshop is a place where people work hard, often in difficult conditions.

Visually Confused Words