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

According to calculations by Edward Nathan Wolff, an economics professor at New York University, the top 20% of America’s wealthiest households own nearly 93% of all stock. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2025

At the time, most of the economics profession was smitten with a cartoonish picture of human behavior. —Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025

And, finally, from an economics point of view, researchers found that among all subjects medication costs decreased by 77%. —Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Nov. 2025

Overall, job openings in the US are down 30% over the last three years, even though stocks are up 70%, the economics writer Derek Thompson noted. —Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 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