employee

noun

em·​ploy·​ee im-ˌplȯ(i)-ˈē 

(ˌ)em-;

im-ˈplȯ(i)-ˌē 

em-

variants or less commonly employe

: one employed by another usually for wages or salary and in a position below the executive level

Synonyms of employee

• worker

Examples of employee in a Sentence

A good boss listens to his employees.

The company has more than 2,000 employees worldwide.

Recent Examples on the Web

Big Deal Korn Ferry’s 2027 Talent Trends Report highlights how AI and growing workforce capability gaps are expected to reshape hiring, employee development, and workforce planning. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

The charges against Strange arose after studio employees alerted the FBI of the theft in January 2025, alleging the unfinished releases were shared to a number of online platforms. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Even before the incident, OpenAI had been warning its employees about state-actor espionage tactics that aim to steal the company’s corporate secrets, according to the Wall Street Journal. — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Later that day, Public Works Director Jason Shykowski emailed employees, directing them to compile a list of projects completed in the 2nd District over the previous 10 years, along with approximate costs. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

employ entry 1 + -ee entry 1, perhaps after French employé

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

employee

noun

em·​ploy·​ee im-ˌplȯi-ˈē  (ˌ)em- 

im-ˈplȯi-ˌē, 

em-

: one who works for another for wages or a salary

Legal Definition

employee

noun

em·​ploy·​ee

variants also employe

: a person usually below the executive level who is hired by another to perform a service especially for wages or salary and is under the other's control see also respondeat superior compare independent contractor

Note: In determining whether an individual is an employee, courts look at several factors, including the nature of the compensation paid, provision for employee benefits, whether the hired party is in business, tax treatment of the hired party, source of the equipment used, and location of the work. Statutes, such as workers' compensation acts and labor laws, usually include a definition of employee as it is used in the statute.