economy

1 of 2

noun

econ·​o·​my i-ˈkä-nə-mē How to pronounce economy (audio)
ə-,
ē-
plural economies
1
: the structure or conditions of economic life in a country, area, or period
also : an economic system
2
a
: thrifty and efficient use of material resources : frugality in expenditures
also : an instance or a means of economizing : saving
b
: efficient and concise use of nonmaterial resources (such as effort, language, or motion)
3
a
: the arrangement or mode of operation of something : organization
b
: a system especially of interaction and exchange
an economy of information
4
archaic : the management of household or private affairs and especially expenses

economy

2 of 2

adjective

: designed to save money
economy cars

Examples of economy in a Sentence

Noun The war altered the country's economy. An increase in tourism will help the city's economy. We must learn to practice economy. We'll also benefit from the economies provided by more efficient energy sources. It would be false economy to repair the leak without replacing the pipe.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
The German economy—Europe’s largest—is set to shrink by 0.2% in 2024 for the second year in a row. Samuel Burke, Fortune Europe, 29 Oct. 2024 Most economists and budget watchdogs are skeptical film tax credits are the jobs and economy stimulators that politicians claim. Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Oct. 2024 Its passage could align Florida with the 24 other states that have already legalized recreational marijuana, potentially affecting the state's economy and criminal justice system. USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 Days later, Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy, sending the already-faltering economy into a tailspin. Dan Alexander, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for economy 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English yconomye, borrowed from Middle French yconomie, economie, borrowed from Medieval Latin yconomia, economia, oekonomia (Late Latin, "organization of the Trinity, plan, dispensation," Latin oeconomia "arrangement of material by an author,"), borrowed from Greek oikonomía "management of a household, direction, arrangement," from oikonómos "manager of a household, steward," (from oîkos "house" + -nomos, noun derivative of némein "to have management or control of, rule, direct") + -ia -y entry 2 — more at vicinity, nimble

Adjective

from attributive use of economy entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Adjective

1821, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of economy was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near economy

Cite this Entry

“Economy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economy. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

economy

noun
econ·​o·​my
i-ˈkän-ə-mē
plural economies
1
: careful use of money and goods : thrift
2
: a special arrangement or system : organization
3
: the way an economic system (as of a country or a period in history) is arranged
Etymology

Noun

derived from Greek oikonomos "household manager," from oikos "house" and nemein "to manage"

Medical Definition

economy

noun
econ·​o·​my i-ˈkän-ə-mē How to pronounce economy (audio)
plural economies
1
: the system of operation of the processes of anabolism and catabolism in living bodies
the economy of the cell
2
: the body of an animal or plant as an organized whole
disorganizing wide segments of the body economyLeonard Engel

More from Merriam-Webster on economy

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