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
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Noun
For the Michigan economy, the economists anticipate stronger growth in 2025 and 2026 as the potential federal tax cuts and additional Federal Reserve interest rate cuts act to boost growth. Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024 All the major North American carriers — Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Air Canada — use variations of priority boarding, with premium passengers allowed to board before those who purchase economy seats. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Yet for all the growth of the influencer economy, the career path can be hellish, involving constant hustle, relentless criticism, and existential meaninglessness. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024 Drew Angerer/Getty Images/Getty Images North America During the Madison Square Garden rally last month, Lutnick described his vision for transforming the United States economy — by going back 125 years, to 1900. Scott Horsley, NPR, 19 Nov. 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 27 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

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