economic

adjective

eco·​nom·​ic ˌe-kə-ˈnä-mik How to pronounce economic (audio) ˌē-kə- How to pronounce economic (audio)
Synonyms of economic
1
a
: of, relating to, or based on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
economic growth
b
: of or relating to an economy
a group of economic advisers
c
: of or relating to economics
economic theories
2
3
: having practical or industrial significance or uses : affecting material resources
4
5
archaic : of or relating to a household or its management

Examples of economic in a Sentence

a program to prevent inflation and economic collapse the President's chief economic adviser We're looking for a more economic way of doing business.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to court filings, $235,245 of the verdict was a result of economic damages, which included medical costs and funeral expenses. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026 Decades later, there are signs of an economic comeback. Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026 The delegation included security, political, military, economic and legal teams. Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026 Still, economic worries can be a winning issue for Democrats. Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for economic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French yconomique "relating to domestic affairs, relating to the management of a household," borrowed from Medieval Latin oeconomicus (Latin as the title of Xenophon's dialogue Oeconomicus), borrowed from Greek oikonomikós "of a householder or manager, practiced in household or financial management," from oikonómos "manager of a household, steward" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at economy entry 1

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Time Traveler
The first known use of economic was in 1599

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Economic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economic. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

economic

adjective
ec·​o·​nom·​ic
ˌek-ə-ˈnäm-ik
ˌē-kə-
1
a
: of or relating to the science of economics
economic theories
b
: of, relating to, or based on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
economic growth
2
: having practical or industrial uses : affecting material resources
economic pests

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