Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Definition of employment noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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employment

noun
employment pronunciation English ɪmˈplɔɪmənt employment pronunciation American ɪmˈplɔɪmənt
 
1 [uncountable, countable] work, especially when it is done to earn money; the state of being employedto be in paid employmentfull-time/part-time employmentconditions/terms of employmentGraduates are finding it more and more difficult to find employment.pensions from previous employments2 [uncountable] the situation in which people have workThe government is aiming at full employment.Changes in farming methods have badly affected employment in the area.
Opposite
unemployment
3 [uncountable] the act of employing somebodyThe law prevented the employment of children under ten in the cotton mills.The expansion of the factory will mean the employment of sixty extra workers.4 [uncountable] employment (of something) (formal) the use of somethingthe employment of artillery in the capture of the town
Usage notesUsage note: JobsGetting a joblook for worklook for/apply for/go for a jobget/pick up/complete/fill out/(British English) fill in an application (form)send/email your (British English) CV/(North American English) résumé/application/application form/covering letterbe called for/have/attend an interviewoffer somebody a job/work/employment/promotionfind/get/land a jobemploy/(especially North American English) hire/recruit/(especially British English) take on staff/workers/traineesrecruit/appoint a managerDoing a jobarrive at/get to/leave work/the office/the factorystart/finish work/your shiftdo/put in/work overtimehave/gain/get/lack/need experience/qualificationsdo/get/have/receive traininglearn/pick up/improve/develop (your) skillscope with/manage/share/spread the workloadimprove your/achieve a better work-life balancehave (no) job satisfaction/job securityBuilding a careerhave a job/work/a career/a vocationfind/follow/pursue/(especially North American English) live (out) your vocationenter/go into/join a professionchoose/embark on/start/begin/pursue a careerchange jobs/profession/careerbe/(both especially British English) work/go freelancedo/take on temp work/freelance workdo/be engaged in/be involved in voluntary workLeaving your jobleave/(especially North American English) quit/resign from your jobgive up work/your job/your careerhand in your notice/resignationplan to/be due to retire in June/next year, etc.take early retirementUsage notesUsage note: UnemploymentLosing your joblose your job(British English) become/be made redundantbe offered/take voluntary redundancy/early retirementface/be threatened with dismissal/(British English) the sack/(British English) compulsory redundancydismiss/fire/(especially British English) sack an employee/a worker/a managerlay off staff/workers/employees(AustralE, NZE, SAfrE) retrench workerscut/reduce/downsize/slash the workforce(British English) make staff/workers/employees redundantBeing unemployedbe unemployed/out of work/out of a jobseek/look for work/employmentbe on/collect/draw/get/receive (both British English) unemployment benefit/jobseeker's allowancebe/go/live/sign (British English, informal) on the doleclaim/draw/get (British English, informal) the dolebe on/qualify for (North American English) unemployment (compensation)be/go/live/depend (North American English) on welfarecollect/receive (North American English) welfarecombat/tackle/cut/reduce unemploymentUsage notesUsage note: workemployment career profession occupation tradeThese are all words for the work that somebody does in return for payment, especially over a long period of time.work the job that somebody does, especially in order to earn money: It's very difficult to find work at the moment.employment (rather formal) work, especially when it is done to earn money; the state of being employed or the situation in which people have work: Only half the people here are in paid employment.career the job or series of jobs that somebody has in a particular area of work, usually involving more responsibility as time passes: He had a very distinguished career in the Foreign Office.profession a type of job that needs special training or skill, especially one that needs a high level of education: He hopes to enter the medical profession. The profession is all the people who work in a particular profession: the legal profession. The professions are the traditional jobs that need a high level of education and training, such as being a doctor or lawyer.occupation (rather formal) a job or profession: Please state your name, age, and occupation.trade a job, especially one that involves working with your hands and requires special training and skills: Carpentry is a highly skilled trade.in/out of work/employment(a) full-time/part-time work/employment/career/occupationpermanent/temporary work/employment(a) well-paid work/employment/profession/occupation(a) low-paid work/employment/occupationto look for/seek/find work/employment/a career/an occupationto get/obtain/give somebody/offer somebody/create/generate/provide work/employment