verb

employ

ihm-PLOY

verb

To hire someone and pay them to do work.

"The factory employs over two hundred workers."

"She was employed as a translator for the company."

To make use of something, such as a method, tool, or skill.

"The team employed a new strategy to win the match."

How to Use Employ

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo give someone a paid job, or to use a particular method or tool for a task.

Common pairings

employ staff employ a strategy newly employed

employed past tense, employs plural, employs singular

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The factory _____ over two hundred workers.

From Old French emploiier, "to make use of," ultimately from Latin implicare, "to involve" or "engage" — the same root as "imply."

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apply appoint bestow brook commission commit exercise exploit handle ply make use put to use