: 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.
But that extra $10 now has to cover self-employment taxes, business expenses, and any benefits that were once part of your compensation—including funding your retirement. Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026 Chai said her plan would keep the Social Security payroll tax cap and payroll tax rate from increasing, eliminate the employer portion of the self-employment tax and require government employees to participate in Social Security. Lorie Konish, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026 The number of high-earning solopreneurs is surging, empowered by AI tools that provide capabilities of larger teams, making self-employment increasingly attractive. Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 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 17 Sep. 2026.

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