Entry Word: employment

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose <the employment of the kitchen oven as a storage cupboard had predictably disastrous results> — see use 1
2 the activity by which one regularly makes a living <his regular employment is that of a restaurant waiter, but he always identifies himself as an actor> — see occupation
3 the state of being provided with a paying job <the parents tried to convey to their adult son the joys of steady employment> — see hire 1