employer

noun

em·​ploy·​er im-ˈplȯi-ər 

em-

plural employers

: one that employs or makes use of something or somebody

… it is one of the most aggressive employers of the dreaded pop-up ads that effloresce across one's video screen like a sudden and unpleasant rash …

—Christopher Orr

especially : a person or company that provides a job paying wages or a salary to one or more people

Private household workers usually work in pleasant and comfortable homes or apartments. Most are dayworkers who live in their own homes and travel to work. Some live in the home of their employer, generally with their own room and bath.

—Occupational Outlook Handbook

One of Hiroshima's main contributions to the post-war economic miracle of Japan is the Mazda car plant, the single largest employer in Hiroshima.

—Michael Dillon

… choose a classic health-insurance plan—if your employer still makes one available.

—Laura Johannes

Examples of employer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

People who work in the private sector and wish to form a union have a legal process to force their employer to recognize and bargain with the group. —Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025

The third-year doctoral student had spent months bargaining with his employer — the University of Chicago — on everything from increasing pay for research and teaching assistants to expanding health care benefits. —Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025

In a memo sent to employers obtained by Reuters, Costco will increase pay for its top-of-the-scale employees over the next three years. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025

Last year, panelists, including Crowdstrike's CSO, explained the draw of racing to their employers; this time, organizations represented included NASA, Michelin, AMD, and Microsoft. —Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

employ entry 1 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing employer

• equal opportunities employer
• equal opportunity employer

Kids Definition

employer

noun

em·​ploy·​er

im-ˈplȯi(-ə)r

: one that employs others

Legal Definition

employer

noun

em·​ploy·​er

: one that hires others to perform a service or engage in an activity in exchange for compensation see also respondeat superior