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employment
noun
work, employment, occupation, calling, pursuit, métier, business mean a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living.
work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.
employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.
occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.
calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.
pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.
métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.
business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.
Examples of employment in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'employment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Middle English employement "expenditure of funds," from emploien "to apply to a task, employ entry 1" + -ment -ment
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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Cite this Entry
“Employment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/employment. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
employment
nounLegal Definition
employment
nounMore from Merriam-Webster on employment
Nglish: Translation of employment for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of employment for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about employment
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