unemployment

noun

un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt How to pronounce unemployment (audio)
1
: the state of being unemployed : involuntary idleness of workers
also : the rate of such unemployment
2

Examples of unemployment in a Sentence

My unemployment lasted about six months. Unemployment has been increasing for months. The current unemployment rate is six percent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The provision for credit losses rose to $1.7 million, up from $100 thousand in the same period the previous year, primarily due to increases in specific reserves and projected unemployment rates. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024 At the same time, unemployment remains subdued at 4.1%. Rob Wile, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024 The unemployment rate is still 4.1%, unchanged from September and in line with economists’ predictions. Megan Poinski, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Indeed, Chau points out that commentators have latched onto SF texts to explain all manner of social phenomena in China, ranging from unemployment and the economy to air pollution. H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unemployment 

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unemployment was in 1789

Dictionary Entries Near unemployment

Cite this Entry

“Unemployment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unemployment. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

unemployment

noun
un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt How to pronounce unemployment (audio)
: the state of being out of work
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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