unemployment

noun

un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt 

1

: the state of being unemployed : involuntary idleness of workers

also : the rate of such unemployment

2

: unemployment compensation

Examples of unemployment in a Sentence

My unemployment lasted about six months.

Unemployment has been increasing for months.

The current unemployment rate is six percent.

Recent Examples on the Web

For one, new student loans will no longer have the option of deferment because of unemployment or economic hardship. —CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026

The news of West Suburban’s closure earlier this week sent patients scrambling, nearby hospitals making preparations to absorb more patients and workers readying for unemployment. —Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

While job growth has been anemic over the past year, new applications for unemployment benefits remain at historically low levels. —Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026

Goldman noted that its unemployment projections align closely with simulations run through the Federal Reserve’s own FRB/US model, lending additional credibility to the estimates. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unemployment

• anti-unemployment
• unemployment compensation
• unemployment insurance

Rhymes for unemployment

• preemployment
• redeployment
• reemployment
• deployment
• employment
• enjoyment
• underemployment

Kids Definition

unemployment

noun

un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt 

: the state of being out of work