plural layoffs
1
: the act of ending the employment of a worker or group of workers
The company announced the layoff of several hundred employees.
More layoffs are expected at the factory later this year.
2
: a period of time during which there is no activity
The band finally has a new album after a three year layoff.
a layoff of three years
Cite this Entry
“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/layoff. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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