employ

[ em-ploi ]

verb (used with object)

1. to hire or engage the services of (a person or persons); provide employment for; have or keep in one's service:

   This factory employs thousands of people.

2. to make use of (an instrument, means, etc.); use; apply:

   We employ objective and scientific methods to analyze all management areas.

3. to keep busy or at work; engage the attentions of:

   He employs himself by reading after work.

4. to occupy or devote (time, energies, etc.):

   I employ my spare time in reading. I employ all my energies in writing.

noun

1. employment; service:

   to be in someone's employ.

employ

/ ɪmˈplɔɪ /

verb

1. to engage or make use of the services of (a person) in return for money; hire
2. to provide work or occupation for; keep busy; occupy

   collecting stamps employs a lot of his time

3. to use as a means

   to employ secret measures to get one's ends

noun

1. the state of being employed (esp in the phrase in someone's employ )

Derived Forms

• emˈployable, adjective
• emˌployaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• non·em·ploy·ing adjective
• o·ver·em·ploy verb (used with object)
• pre·em·ploy verb (used with object)
• re·em·ploy verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of employ¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English employen, from Anglo-French, Middle French emploier, ultimately derived from Latin implicāre “to enfold” ( Late Latin: “to engage”); implicate

Word History and Origins

Origin of employ¹

C15: from Old French emploier, from Latin implicāre to entangle, engage, from plicāre to fold

Example Sentences

While the nationwide unemployment rate remained relatively steady, ticking up to 4.2% from 4.1% last month, workers who are employed may be seeing a small increase in their wages.

From Salon

Often, animals employ one approach or the other.

From Science Daily

“Unstoppable” does spotlight “Rocky” references, and a speech by Anthony’s mother employs the oft-criticized trope of serving as an example that “anything is possible.”

From New York Times

The Federation of Small Businesses said that firms employing older and younger workers, who tend to take more sick days, would be disproportionally penalised at a time when the government wants to increase economic activity.

From BBC

Even if the actress herself is truly disabled, studios employ the pretty disabilities stereotype because they believe a predominately able-bodied audience will not empathize with a disabled heroine who is too disabled-looking.

From Salon

Related Words

• apply
• engage
• exploit
• handle
• occupy
• operate
• spend
• use
• utilize