unemployment

noun

un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt 

1

: the state of being unemployed : involuntary idleness of workers

also : the rate of such unemployment

2

: unemployment compensation

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

The activists blame those migrants for causing unemployment among South Africans by accepting low wages, and for other problems including high crime. — Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

The spending bill also got rid of previous rules that allowed borrowers to have their loans temporarily deferred due to unemployment or economic hardship. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Despite South Africa’s high unemployment rate, the country remains Africa’s largest economy and continues to draw migrants. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

Historically, countries that have aggressively adopted automation have tended toward lower unemployment, not higher. — Amanda McMaster, Fortune, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unemployment

• anti-unemployment
• unemployment compensation
• unemployment insurance

Rhymes for unemployment

• preemployment
• redeployment
• reemployment
• deployment
• employment
• enjoyment
• underemployment

Kids Definition

unemployment

noun

un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt 

: the state of being out of work