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

With the country already facing high unemployment, the fallout was devastating. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

These remarks were seen by many as insensitive, especially in a country where youth unemployment remains stubbornly high. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

With the labor force projected to almost double by 2050, many African governments fear growing unemployment in the next few years. — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 22 July 2026

That number is near the highest level it’s been in five years, with federal data showing that white-collar workers and people in their prime working years have been hit the hardest by long-term unemployment. — Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 21 July 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