layoff

1 of 2

noun

lay·​off ˈlā-ˌȯf 

1

: a period of inactivity or idleness

2

: the act of laying off an employee or a workforce

also : shutdown

lay off

2 of 2

verb

laid off; laying off; lays off

transitive verb

1

: to mark or measure off

2

: to cease to employ (a worker) often temporarily

3

of a bookie : to place all or part of (an accepted bet) with another bookie to reduce the risk

4

a

: to leave undisturbed

b

: avoid, quit

was advised to lay off smoking and alcohol

c

: to refrain from swinging at (a pitch)

intransitive verb

1

: to stop doing or taking something

2

: to leave one alone

wish you'd just lay off

Synonyms

Noun

• ax
• axe
• discharge
• dismissal
• furlough
• redundancy [chiefly British]

Verb

• break
• break off
• break up
• can [slang]
• cease
• cut off
• cut out
• desist (from)
• discontinue
• drop
• end
• give over
• halt
• knock off
• leave off
• pack (up or in)
• quit
• shut off
• stop

Examples of layoff in a Sentence

Noun

The company announced the layoff of several hundred employees.

More layoffs are expected at the factory later this year.

The band finally has a new album after a three year layoff.

a layoff of three years

Verb

you need to lay off eating those jelly doughnuts, or you'll end up looking like one

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For career breaks due to layoffs or company closures, focusing on the industry-wide context can help. —Andrew Fennell, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024

Analysts were looking for a rebound from July’s weak performance, which was held down by temporary layoffs and the effects of Hurricane Beryl. —Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024

Verb

Paramount is laying off thousands and closing its TV studio, but Skydance’s David Ellison, its new owner, promises that an important new slate is on its way. —Peter Bart, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2024

So far this year, some big banks pulled back from sector-wide climate commitments, many companies and countries are missing their targets, and some high-profile leaders have laid off their sustainability people. —Andrew Winston, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1748, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

layoff

1 of 2 noun

lay·​off ˈlā-ˌȯf 

1

: the act of laying off an employee or a work force

2

: a period during which there is no activity

lay off

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)lā-ˈȯf

1

: to mark or measure off

2

: to stop employing (a person) often temporarily

lay off workers

3

: to stop doing or taking something

lay off of that stuff