economics

noun

eco·​nom·​ics ˌe-kə-ˈnä-miks  ˌē-kə- 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

a

: a social science concerned chiefly with description and analysis of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services

b

: economic theory, principles, or practices

sound economics

2

: economic aspect or significance

the economics of building a new stadium

3

: economic conditions

current economics

Examples of economics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Just replacing wooden roofs in wildfire-prone areas across the country would cost at least $6 billion, according to a Headwaters economics study. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 19 Jan. 2025

Lodge wrote the pro-business character of Wilcox to instruct the anti-business Penrose that economics is life, and that there are tradeoffs for all the feel-good things she and her fellow academics desire. —John Tamny, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

This year's economics conference was spread out across hotels around San Francisco's Union Square. —Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025

Those are the words of Washington Post economics columnist Catherine Rampell. —John Tamny, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

earlier oeconomicks "science or art of managing a household" from oeconomick, economike in same sense (Middle English iconomique, borrowed from Middle French yconomique, borrowed from Medieval Latin economica, feminine singular or neuter plural of oeconomicus "relating to the management of a household") + -ics — more at economic

Note: Compare ancient Greek oikonomikḗ "practice of household, administrative or economic management," oikonomiká (neuter plural) "administrative affairs."

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing economics

• geo-economics
• home economics
• new economics
• supply-side economics

Kids Definition

economics

singular or plural noun

ec·​o·​nom·​ics

ˌek-ə-ˈnäm-iks,

ˌē-kə-

1

: a social science concerned with description and analysis of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services

2

: financial considerations

the economics of buying a house

economist

i-ˈkän-ə-məst

noun