unemployment

noun

un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt 

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

The unemployment rate has stabilized at a low level in recent months, and labor market conditions remain solid. —John Buckingham, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

Arizona's latest employment report shows a softening labor market, year-over-year job losses and a modestly increasing unemployment rate. —Jessica Boehm, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025

That’s an uptick from the 4.3% unemployment rate and the 2.5% inflation rate officials projected in December. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025

Though some may say his economic success from this term was also largely inherited, GDP grew and unemployment remained low. —Josh Bivens, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unemployment

• anti-unemployment
• unemployment compensation
• unemployment insurance

Rhymes for unemployment

• preemployment
• redeployment
• reemployment
• deployment
• employment
• enjoyment
• underemployment

Kids Definition

unemployment

noun

un·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-mənt 

: the state of being out of work