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 California’s official unemployment rate — the percentage of jobless workers among the state’s labor force — remained unchanged in September at 5.3%. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2024 The bottom line: Gas prices have eased down in recent weeks, the stock market has scraped new highs, the unemployment rate remains low, and economic growth is far outpacing other rich countries. Dave Lawler, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024 The state’s unemployment rate is relatively low, at 3.5%, and its overall 2024 unemployment rate is the lowest since 2007. Alana Semuels, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024 During the fiscal year from 2022 to 2023, the unemployment rate of people aged 15 and above in Haryana state stood at 6.1%, according to data released by India’s Ministry of Labour and Employment, nearly double the national average for the same period. Kunal Sehgal, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unemployment 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unemployment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 31 Oct. 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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