employer

noun

em·​ploy·​er im-ˈplȯi-ər 

em-

plural employers

: one that employs or makes use of something or somebody

… it is one of the most aggressive employers of the dreaded pop-up ads that effloresce across one's video screen like a sudden and unpleasant rash …

—Christopher Orr

especially : a person or company that provides a job paying wages or a salary to one or more people

Private household workers usually work in pleasant and comfortable homes or apartments. Most are dayworkers who live in their own homes and travel to work. Some live in the home of their employer, generally with their own room and bath.

—Occupational Outlook Handbook

One of Hiroshima's main contributions to the post-war economic miracle of Japan is the Mazda car plant, the single largest employer in Hiroshima.

—Michael Dillon

… choose a classic health-insurance plan—if your employer still makes one available.

—Laura Johannes

Outside of the public sector and unionized shops, salaries in North America have long been considered a private matter between employer and employee.

—Amanda Stephenson

Examples of employer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz suggests leaning on scholarships and grants, your employer and student loans. —Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026

The Philippines’ services sector is a pillar of the country’s growth and a major employer, yet AI could threaten jobs in the BPO sector. —Angelica Ang, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026

However, some of those changes can impact compensation and benefits for mid- and larger-sized employers that are helping to pay for the headline-making tax provisions, tax experts said. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026

Cash tips received by an employee during any calendar month are also subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes and must be reported to the employer. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

employ entry 1 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing employer

• equal opportunities employer
• equal opportunity employer

Rhymes for employer

• destroyer
• foyer
• oyer
• multiemployer

Kids Definition

employer

noun

em·​ploy·​er

im-ˈplȯi(-ə)r

: one that employs others

Legal Definition

employer

noun

em·​ploy·​er

: one that hires others to perform a service or engage in an activity in exchange for compensation see also respondeat superior