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

Examples of employer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Flanders, with nearly seven million residents, only about a thousand actively use Solid; one feature lets graduates send digital diplomas to employers. —Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025

Labour pledged during the election not to raise taxes on working people, but has since hiked levies on employers. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025

The law only expands the religious exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine — not other immunizations that employers may require. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025

But Eli Lilly, one of Indianapolis' largest employer and one of the biggest drugmakers in the world, appears to be safe for the time being due to an exemption. —Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 29 Sep. 2025

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