unemployment

noun

un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt How to pronounce unemployment (audio)
Synonyms of unemploymentnext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Washington — The unemployment gap between young high school graduates and their counterparts who obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher has shrunk steadily over the past few years in a sign of structural shifts happening in the US economy. — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026 Going deeper The official unemployment is so low that Federal Reserve policymakers see it as a signal the economy is at or near full employment, according to a Fortune report by Jason Ma. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 The goal is to give state officials and researchers better data on Jewish Californians, including their unemployment rates and representation in schools. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Summary California's tech sector faces job cuts and high unemployment, fueling a narrative of decline. — Lisa Curtis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unemployment

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unemployment was in 1789

Phrases Containing unemployment

Rhymes for unemployment

See All Rhymes for unemployment

Browse Nearby Words

unemployed
unemployment
unemployment compensation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unemployment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unemployment. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unemployment

noun
un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt How to pronounce unemployment (audio)
: the state of being out of work

More from Merriam-Webster on unemployment

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unemployment

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about unemployment

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