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

The harm from a dramatic AI-induced increase in mass unemployment would not be cured simply with Universal Basic Income, a policy that shares the gains of AI by simply cutting equal checks to ensure basic sustenance for all. — Gene Sperling, Time, 1 July 2026

Meanwhile, California’s new dashboard, which focuses on unemployment insurance claims, found no broad evidence of rising statewide unemployment resulting from AI. — Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 1 July 2026

The spending bill also got rid of previous rules that allowed borrowers to have their loans temporarily deferred due to unemployment or economic hardship. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

The Federal Reserve is a powerful economic regulator, responsible for monetary policies that can influence inflation rates and unemployment. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 June 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