employer

noun

em·​ploy·​er im-ˈplȯi-ər 

em-

plural employers

: one that employs or makes use of something or somebody

… it is one of the most aggressive employers of the dreaded pop-up ads that effloresce across one's video screen like a sudden and unpleasant rash …

—Christopher Orr

especially : a person or company that provides a job paying wages or a salary to one or more people

Private household workers usually work in pleasant and comfortable homes or apartments. Most are dayworkers who live in their own homes and travel to work. Some live in the home of their employer, generally with their own room and bath.

—Occupational Outlook Handbook

One of Hiroshima's main contributions to the post-war economic miracle of Japan is the Mazda car plant, the single largest employer in Hiroshima.

—Michael Dillon

… choose a classic health-insurance plan—if your employer still makes one available.

—Laura Johannes

Examples of employer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Observer suggests Raynor Winn embezzled tens of thousands from her former employer Martin Hemmings' family-run business. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

That’s because already, about 76% of employers are using some kind of skills test in assessing job candidates when hiring, according to a recent report from TestGorilla. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 July 2025

Employees who have children are more likely to work in hybrid settings, splitting their workweek between home and employer's location, while those without children are more likely to work fully remote or fully on-site. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025

Black & Veatch is one of the largest employers in the metro, generating $4.7 billion in revenue last year, according to Forbes. —Madeline King july 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

employ entry 1 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing employer

• equal opportunities employer
• equal opportunity employer

Rhymes for employer

• destroyer
• foyer
• oyer
• multiemployer

Kids Definition

employer

noun

em·​ploy·​er

im-ˈplȯi(-ə)r

: one that employs others

Legal Definition

employer

noun

em·​ploy·​er

: one that hires others to perform a service or engage in an activity in exchange for compensation see also respondeat superior