employed

American  

[em-ploid] / ɛmˈplɔɪd /

adjective

1. given employment, or paid work; hired, especially permanently by inclusion on a payroll.

   The comedy revolves around a beauty salon owner and her newly employed male stylist.

2. applied or used; made use of.

   In the study, drilling with flashcards was the least frequently employed strategy for language learning.

3. kept busy or engaged with some work or activity.

   I never feel usefully employed in science except when I'm actually gathering data.

4. (of time, energies, etc.) occupied; devoted to some pursuit.

   Working on my quilt gave me many happily employed hours.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of employ.

Other Word Forms

• de-employed adjective
• well-employed adjective

Etymology

Origin of employed

First recorded in 1560–70; employ ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; employ ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

As of May 2025, the company employed approximately 162,000 employees, according to its most recent 10-K filing.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

While Universal Credit is a digital service, enforcement of its obligations has long been delivered through Jobcentres, where work coaches are employed to help people find work.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

"Bastar is now Naxal-free," Shah told the parliament during a 90-minute speech detailing the history and tactics employed by security forces to end the insurgency.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Another strategy Desai said the theater company has employed is heavy investment in new works development, particularly new musical development.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

What they did in their houses I do not know, for they employed servants to do the work; but they stayed mostly indoors, or if they went out at all they went veiled in bourkas.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya

Related Words

• engaged
• hired
• occupied