economics

noun

eco·​nom·​ics ˌe-kə-ˈnä-miks How to pronounce economics (audio) ˌē-kə- How to pronounce economics (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
a
: a social science concerned chiefly with description and analysis of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
b
: economic theory, principles, or practices
sound economics
2
: economic aspect or significance
the economics of building a new stadium
3
: economic conditions
current economics

Examples of economics in a Sentence

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.
Nobel purists stress that the economics prize is technically not a Nobel Prize, but it is always presented together with the others on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death in 1896. CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025 The economics prize was added almost 70 years later, to mark the tercentenary of Sweden's central bank. Scott Horsley, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025 Jonathan Ernest, an economics professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, told the figures highlight a potentially worrisome trend. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 Hartman has an economics degree and has been seeking a consulting or business strategy role. Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for economics

Word History

Etymology

earlier oeconomicks "science or art of managing a household" from oeconomick, economike in same sense (Middle English iconomique, borrowed from Middle French yconomique, borrowed from Medieval Latin economica, feminine singular or neuter plural of oeconomicus "relating to the management of a household") + -ics — more at economic

Note: Compare ancient Greek oikonomikḗ "practice of household, administrative or economic management," oikonomiká (neuter plural) "administrative affairs."

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of economics was in 1792

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Economics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economics. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

economics

singular or plural noun
ec·​o·​nom·​ics
ˌek-ə-ˈnäm-iks,
ˌē-kə-
1
: a social science concerned with description and analysis of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
2
: financial considerations
the economics of buying a house
economist
i-ˈkän-ə-məst
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on economics

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!