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job description

American  

noun

  1. an abstract of a job analysis containing the classification of and requirements for a job, used in hiring and placing prospective employees.


job description British  

noun

  1. a detailed written account, agreed between management and worker, of all the duties and responsibilities which together make up a particular job

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of job description

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In one instance, he asked me to do a task that wasn’t in my job description.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026

Put the job description and company website into an AI system and ask specific questions like "What are the top five things this employer is looking for?" suggests Ghislaine Dell.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

I was told I brought “too many ideas” and seemed interested more in doing “extra things” than what was in the job description.

From Slate • Jan. 20, 2026

The potential solution, or at least a piece of one, is evident in this job description:

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 18, 2026

Listening to quiet, miserable voices is in his job description.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon