Travail/ˈtræveɪl/ Definition 1 of 4Pro Tip 1/3Physically Straining Usually implies tasks that are exhausting and require great physical effort. The workers experienced the travail of shoveling snow for hours. Pro Tip 2/3Emotionally Draining Can also be used to describe activities that are mentally or emotionally taxing. Planning the event was a real travail because of numerous setbacks. Pro Tip 3/3Severe Hardship Often associated with scenarios involving extreme difficulty or distress. Their travail through the desert tested their limits.