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 Carl Schramm, an economics professor at Syracuse University, notes that energy costs have been a significant factor in food price inflation since fuel is a major production cost for the agriculture sector. Nik Popli, TIME, 22 Oct. 2024 At this point, the Nobel Prize in economics feels like it’s played out. James Broughel, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 Consider the pace of clean energy growth, writes J. Doyne Farmer, author and director of the complexity economics program at the Institute for New Economic Thinking at Oxford University’s Oxford Martin School. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024 Thomson Reuters Covers the U.S. Federal Reserve, monetary policy and the economy, a graduate of the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University with previous experience as a foreign correspondent, economics reporter and on the local staff of the Washington Post. Howard Schneider, Reuters, 23 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for economics 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'economics.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near economics

Cite this Entry

“Economics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economics. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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

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