employee

noun

em·​ploy·​ee im-ˌplȯ(i)-ˈē 

(ˌ)em-;

im-ˈplȯ(i)-ˌē 

em-

variants or less commonly employe

: one employed by another usually for wages or salary and in a position below the executive level

Synonyms of employee

• worker

Examples of employee in a Sentence

A good boss listens to his employees.

The company has more than 2,000 employees worldwide.

Recent Examples on the Web

Last week, Essayli announced federal drug charges against an ex-employee of a harm reduction organization that previously served MacArthur Park after the man was caught with fentanyl, methamphetamine and a scale in his car. —Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026

The documentary records how Spithill was pushed aside as Buckley and his wealthy co-partner, Ryan McKillen, the founding engineer and employee #3 at Uber, took over the reins in November 2023 and opted for their All-American strategy, in which there would be no place for Spithill. —Andrew Rice, New York Times, 29 May 2026

The funds, paid out through private lenders including banks and credit unions, were intended to help employers maintain payrolls, hire back employees who may have been laid off, and cover overhead costs. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 29 May 2026

The claim, filed in Jackson County Circuit Court on Wednesday on behalf of Justin Marriott, is the second lawsuit brought by a department employee stating that Deputy Chief Michelle Sumstad had been investigated for allegedly driving under the influence. —Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

employ entry 1 + -ee entry 1, perhaps after French employé

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

employee

noun

em·​ploy·​ee im-ˌplȯi-ˈē  (ˌ)em- 

im-ˈplȯi-ˌē, 

em-

: one who works for another for wages or a salary

Legal Definition

employee

noun

em·​ploy·​ee

variants also employe

: a person usually below the executive level who is hired by another to perform a service especially for wages or salary and is under the other's control see also respondeat superior compare independent contractor

Note: In determining whether an individual is an employee, courts look at several factors, including the nature of the compensation paid, provision for employee benefits, whether the hired party is in business, tax treatment of the hired party, source of the equipment used, and location of the work. Statutes, such as workers' compensation acts and labor laws, usually include a definition of employee as it is used in the statute.