economics

noun

eco·​nom·​ics ˌe-kə-ˈnä-miks  ˌē-kə- 

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

Tuesday’s data also confirmed an underlying deterioration in employment conditions, particularly for those who are younger or are minorities, noted Brian Bethune, an economics professor at Boston College. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025

Mothers seem to be trading lower pay for flexibility or other accommodations, Brenden Timpe, an economics professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and a co-author of the paper, told me. —Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025

Goolsbee, an economics PhD from MIT, spoke after the Fed cut interest rates for the third time since September on Wednesday. —Sean Conlon,tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025

Salter is a senior fellow with the Independent Institute and an economics professor in the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025

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

Phrases Containing economics

• geo-economics
• home economics
• new economics
• supply-side economics

Rhymes for economics

• bionomics
• ergonomics
• atomics
• bombyx
• comics
• macroeconomics
• microeconomics

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