unemployment

[ uhn-em-ploi-muhnt ]

noun

1. the state of being unemployed, especially involuntarily:

   Automation poses a threat of unemployment for many unskilled workers.

2. the number of persons who are unemployed.
3. Informal. unemployment benefit.

unemployment

/ ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt /

noun

1. the condition of being unemployed
2. the number of unemployed workers, often as a percentage of the total labour force

Other Words From

• anti·unem·ployment adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of unemployment¹

First recorded in 1885–90; un- ¹ + employment

Example Sentences

More than $5 trillion goes each year to Social Security, Medicare, federal employee retirement, unemployment compensation and the like.

From Los Angeles Times

The UK's unemployment rate has risen, official figures suggest, while pay growth continues to slow.

From BBC

The rate of unemployment stood at 4.3% in the three months to September, up from 4% the previous quarter.

From BBC

"Unemployment is likely gradually rising, the labour market is loosening but it remains tight," he said.

From BBC

Unemployment among young people and an exodus of Ghanaians looking for better opportunities elsewhere has also been a feature of recent years.

From BBC

Related Words

• bankruptcy
• collapse
• decline
• deflation
• downturn
• hard times
• inflation
• shakeout
• slide
• slump
• stagnation