unemployment

noun

un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt How to pronounce unemployment (audio)
1
: the state of being unemployed : involuntary idleness of workers
also : the rate of such unemployment
2

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The unemployment rate is still 4.1%, unchanged from September and in line with economists’ predictions. Megan Poinski, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 By the numbers: The unemployment rate was 4.1% in October, the lowest in the month before a presidential election since 2000. Neil Irwin, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024 The economy’s growth rate is relatively high, and unemployment rate remains historically low. Matt Egan, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024 The state had the nation’s highest unemployment rate — 28.2% — in April 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unemployment 

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unemployment was in 1789

Dictionary Entries Near unemployment

Cite this Entry

“Unemployment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unemployment. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

unemployment

noun
un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt How to pronounce unemployment (audio)
: the state of being out of work
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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