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employment

noun
em·​ploy·​ment | \ im-ˈplȯi-mÉ™nt How to pronounce employment (audio) \

Definition of employment

1 : use, purpose
2a : activity in which one engages or is employed seeking gainful employment
b : an instance of such activity
c : the extent or degree to which a labor force is employed Employment is high.
3 : the act of employing : the state of being employed employment of a pen in sketching
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about employment

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Choose the Right Synonym for employment

work, employment, occupation, calling, pursuit, métier, business mean a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living. work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not. her work as a hospital volunteer employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer. your employment with this firm is hereby terminated occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training. his occupation as a trained auto mechanic calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession. the ministry seemed my true calling pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest. her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted. acting was my one and only métier business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs. the business of managing a hotel

Examples of employment in a Sentence

laws that have encouraged the employment of women I've been looking for employment in the machine trade. The new factory should provide employment for hundreds of workers. unskilled workers trying to find paid employment She hopes to find employment as a teacher. The magazine did well during the course of her employment as editor. Employment is at an all-time high in this part of the state. The city is faced with inadequate housing and a lack of employment.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Ann's career path led her to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), and her final employment was with Optum Healthcare. — courant.com, "Ann M. Hill," 6 Sep. 2019 And Estefany Méndez saw her employment terminated by Univision because her DACA permit had lapsed before her renewal was approved. — Julissa Arce, Time, "Two Years After DACA Was Rescinded, Hundreds of Thousands of Dreamers Remain in Limbo. Even the Supreme Court Can't Fix the Problem," 5 Sep. 2019 Briley said, after explaining earlier that there was no pursuit of any criminal charges due to the inspectors’ full cooperation with the investigation and the subsequent end to their employment with the city. — Thomas Jewell, cleveland.com, "Former Cleveland Heights housing inspectors had businesses on the side," 5 Sep. 2019 His employment with the city of Asbury Park was terminated after he was charged. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, "2 N.J. officers wore disguises, damaged cars of man who filed complaint against them, prosecutors say," 5 Sep. 2019 The review was ultimately widened to cover his entire employment, from 2005 to 2017. — Anchorage Daily News, "How Veterans Affairs failed to stop a pathologist who misdiagnosed 3,000 cases," 30 Aug. 2019 And another thing to investigate individuals in order to embarrass them publicly and jeopardize their employment. — New York Times, "Trump Allies Target Journalists Over Coverage Deemed Hostile to White House," 25 Aug. 2019 His employment came to a sudden end just as the forensic audit was delivered a week ago. — Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, "At Troy City Hall, report says, finance director aided thieving boss," 22 July 2019 Now presumably, the next person to fill that role will, as a condition of their employment, be on board with Planned Parenthood running around the country and saying that men can have abortions and all of this. — Nr Staff, National Review, "The Ungrateful among Us," 19 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'employment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of employment

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for employment

employment

noun
How to pronounce employment (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of employment

: the act of using something
: the act of paying someone to do a job
: work that a person is paid to do

See the full definition for employment in the English Language Learners Dictionary

employment

noun
em·​ploy·​ment | \ im-ˈplȯi-mÉ™nt How to pronounce employment (audio) \

Kids Definition of employment

1 : the act of using something The artist is known for her employment of unusual materials.
2 : job sense 1, occupation I am seeking employment in your area.
3 : the act of hiring a person to do work

employment

noun
em·​ploy·​ment

Legal Definition of employment

1 : an activity or service performed for another especially for compensation or as an occupation
2 : the act of employing : the state of being employed

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More from Merriam-Webster on employment

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with employment

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for employment

Spanish Central: Translation of employment

Nglish: Translation of employment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of employment for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about employment

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