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

Man-su and Mi-ri are more happily married, but months of unemployment and multiple homicides take their toll, excavating old resentments and failures, including Man-su’s past struggles with alcoholism. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2025

Trump has had a decade-long struggle with the truth about the unemployment rate and other jobs data. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025

Michigan residents who begin an unemployment benefits claim during 2026 will be eligible for $84 more per week than those who started a claim during 2025. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025

With an increasing unemployment rate, anxious office workers are holding onto their jobs tighter and tighter. —Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 22 Dec. 2025

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