employer

noun

em·​ploy·​er im-ˈplȯi-ər 

em-

plural employers

: one that employs or makes use of something or somebody

… it is one of the most aggressive employers of the dreaded pop-up ads that effloresce across one's video screen like a sudden and unpleasant rash …

—Christopher Orr

especially : a person or company that provides a job paying wages or a salary to one or more people

Private household workers usually work in pleasant and comfortable homes or apartments. Most are dayworkers who live in their own homes and travel to work. Some live in the home of their employer, generally with their own room and bath.

—Occupational Outlook Handbook

One of Hiroshima's main contributions to the post-war economic miracle of Japan is the Mazda car plant, the single largest employer in Hiroshima.

—Michael Dillon

… choose a classic health-insurance plan—if your employer still makes one available.

—Laura Johannes

Examples of employer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lack of feedback from employers is another persistent problem, leaving candidates in the dark about their application status or areas for improvement. —Jack Kelly, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Recent months have seen labor unions win significant concessions from employers, following high-profile strikes by Boeing factory workers, dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast ports, video game performers, and hotel and casino employees on the Las Vegas Strip. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

The United States Maritime Alliance (USMA), which represents employers at the East and Gulf coast ports, met on Tuesday with leaders of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) to hammer out a deal. —Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025

The lawsuit asserts that any ban on mandatory meetings infringes the employers’ free-speech rights as enshrined in the 1st Amendment. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

employ entry 1 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing employer

• equal opportunities employer
• equal opportunity employer

Kids Definition

employer

noun

em·​ploy·​er

im-ˈplȯi(-ə)r

: one that employs others

Legal Definition

employer

noun

em·​ploy·​er

: one that hires others to perform a service or engage in an activity in exchange for compensation see also respondeat superior