self-employment

noun

self-em·​ploy·​ment ˌself-im-ˈplȯi-mənt How to pronounce self-employment (audio)
: the state of being self-employed

Examples of self-employment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Avedian also said gig workers have to pay self-employment tax, so that could eat into any benefit of the new tip deduction — again, if the workers qualify for it at all, depending on their income. Levi Sumagaysay, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 This is not a side hustle, a flexible gig, or a dabble in self-employment. Matt Emma, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025 Democrats Sheldon Whitehouse and Brendan Boyle have introduced the Fair Share Act, which would require Americans earning over $400,000 to pay Social Security taxes on all income above that threshold, including wages, self-employment, and investments. Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025 In addition, data showed those who switched to self-employment had previously earned more than peers who were paid employees, contrasting with notions that they were pushed into starting their own business. Jason Ma, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-employment

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-employment was in 1834

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Cite this Entry

“Self-employment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-employment. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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