unemployment

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the state of being unemployed or not having a job

   unemployment is a serious social evil

2. 2
   noun

   The state of having no job; joblessness.

   Unemployment made Jack depressed.

3. 3
   noun

   The phenomenon of joblessness in an economy.

   Unemployment has been considered a cause of crime.

4. 4
   noun

   The level of joblessness in an economy, often measured as a percentage of the workforce.

   Unemployment was reported at 5.2% in May, up from 4.9% in April.

5. 5
   noun

   A type of joblessness due to a particular economic mechanism.

   All unemployments, seasonal, frictional, cyclical, classical, whatever, mean that you're out of work.

6. 6
   noun

   An instance or period of joblessness.

   Until then his life had consisted of low-paying jobs, numerous unemployments, and drug use.

Etymology

From un- + employment.