employment

noun

em·​ploy·​ment im-ˈplȯi-mənt 

1

: use, purpose

2

a

: activity in which one engages or is employed

seeking gainful employment

b

: an instance of such activity

c

: the extent or degree to which a labor force is employed

Employment is high.

3

: the act of employing : the state of being employed

employment of a pen in sketching

Synonyms of employment

• use
• application
• exercise
• usage
• operation

Choose the Right Synonym for employment

work, employment, occupation, calling, pursuit, métier, business mean a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living.

work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

Examples of employment in a Sentence

laws that have encouraged the employment of women

I've been looking for employment in the machine trade.

The new factory should provide employment for hundreds of workers.

unskilled workers trying to find paid employment

She hopes to find employment as a teacher.

The magazine did well during the course of her employment as editor.

Employment is at an all-time high in this part of the state.

The city is faced with inadequate housing and a lack of employment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Those with high levels of hope had better later outcomes in health, education and employment. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Increasing the time for filing a complaint would be an update to the Congressional Accountability Act, which requires Congress to follow many of the same employment laws that apply to the private sector. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

The convergence of young people’s anger over education and employment, fears of authoritarianism, and concern for the sanctity of the vote poses a serious challenge to the Modi government. — Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026

Colley said Union benefits from strong schools, employment opportunities and community partnerships. — Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English employement "expenditure of funds," from emploien "to apply to a task, employ entry 1" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing employment

• employment agency
• employment history
• pre-employment
• re-employment
• self-employment

Rhymes for employment

• deployment
• enjoyment
• preemployment
• redeployment
• reemployment
• unemployment
• underemployment

Kids Definition

employment

noun

em·​ploy·​ment im-ˈplȯi-mənt 

1

: use entry 1 sense 1a, purpose

also : the act of using

2

a

: the act of hiring a person for work

b

: the job for which one is hired : occupation

c

: the state of being employed

employment in the machine trade

d

: the relative number of persons in a labor force who are employed

employment is high

Legal Definition

employment

noun

em·​ploy·​ment

1

: an activity or service performed for another especially for compensation or as an occupation

2

: the act of employing : the state of being employed