economy

1 of 2

noun

econ·​o·​my i-ˈkä-nə-mē How to pronounce economy (audio)
ə-,
ē-
plural economies
1
: the structure or conditions of economic life in a country, area, or period
also : an economic system
2
a
: thrifty and efficient use of material resources : frugality in expenditures
also : an instance or a means of economizing : saving
b
: efficient and concise use of nonmaterial resources (such as effort, language, or motion)
3
a
: the arrangement or mode of operation of something : organization
b
: a system especially of interaction and exchange
an economy of information
4
archaic : the management of household or private affairs and especially expenses

economy

2 of 2

adjective

: designed to save money
economy cars

Examples of economy in a Sentence

Noun The war altered the country's economy. An increase in tourism will help the city's economy. We must learn to practice economy. We'll also benefit from the economies provided by more efficient energy sources. It would be false economy to repair the leak without replacing the pipe.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Her tenth grader was working through a unit on the American government and economy. Emma Green, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Depositors represent the main street economy, and small businesses are the largest employers in the United States. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Fueled by a diverse economy — a dividend of the postwar boom years — this building, likened by one manager to the Taj Mahal, was dedicated on March 6, 1990. Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Growing late payments must be watched closely as the bumpy economy evolves. Jonathan Lansner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024 Hong Kong’s decision to pass its own security law risks inflaming geopolitical tensions with other major economies. Alan Wong, Fortune Asia, 9 Mar. 2024 Agricultural crops at risk Indiana’s agriculture adds about $35 billion each year to the state’s economy, and false springs due to climate change could threaten overall production of some of Hoosier’s main exports. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 Recent data shows a rising interest in alternative—that is, more casual and affordable—wedding options, in part because the current generation of brides are getting married in a much different economy. Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2024 In fact, the group reading of 32.3 is deceiving, because Berkshire, as the only old economy stalwart on the list, sells at just 12 times its profits for the past four quarters. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'economy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English yconomye, borrowed from Middle French yconomie, economie, borrowed from Medieval Latin yconomia, economia, oekonomia (Late Latin, "organization of the Trinity, plan, dispensation," Latin oeconomia "arrangement of material by an author,"), borrowed from Greek oikonomía "management of a household, direction, arrangement," from oikonómos "manager of a household, steward," (from oîkos "house" + -nomos, noun derivative of némein "to have management or control of, rule, direct") + -ia -y entry 2 — more at vicinity, nimble

Adjective

from attributive use of economy entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Adjective

1821, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of economy was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near economy

Cite this Entry

“Economy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

economy

noun
econ·​o·​my
i-ˈkän-ə-mē
plural economies
1
: careful use of money and goods : thrift
2
: a special arrangement or system : organization
3
: the way an economic system (as of a country or a period in history) is arranged
Etymology

Noun

derived from Greek oikonomos "household manager," from oikos "house" and nemein "to manage"

Medical Definition

economy

noun
econ·​o·​my i-ˈkän-ə-mē How to pronounce economy (audio)
plural economies
1
: the system of operation of the processes of anabolism and catabolism in living bodies
the economy of the cell
2
: the body of an animal or plant as an organized whole
disorganizing wide segments of the body economyLeonard Engel

More from Merriam-Webster on economy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!