noun
unemployment
uhn-ihm-PLOY-muhnt
noun
1
The state of not having a paid job.
"She struggled financially during a long spell of unemployment."
2
The overall level of joblessness in an economy, often given as a percentage.
"Unemployment fell to its lowest level in a decade."
How to Use Unemployment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot having a job, or the general rate of joblessness across a country or region.
Common pairings
unemployment rate
rising unemployment
unemployment benefits
Word Forms
unemployments plural
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She struggled financially during a long spell of _____.
Etymology
From un- ("not") plus employment.