sharing economy

American  

noun

1. a system in which people rent, borrow, or share commodities, services, and resources owned by individuals, usually with the aid of online technology, in an effort to save money, cut costs, and reduce waste.

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Etymology

Origin of sharing economy

First recorded in 2005–10

Example Sentences

It’s a quieter, more sustainable kind of sharing economy, one where empty spaces serve a specific emotional need, not just economic opportunity.

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2025

"One lesson learned for any sharing economy business is that you have to ask yourself: how could this system be broken?" says Mr Hibbert.

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2023

This article is adapted from Oversharing, a newsletter about the sharing economy.

From Slate • Jul. 11, 2023

Swimming pools are now part of the sharing economy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 28, 2023

“We’ve been talking about the sharing economy for two decades, for goodness’ sake,” said Parminder Jassal, the chief executive of Unmudl, which is developing technology to make it easier for institutions to share courses.

From New York Times • Oct. 6, 2022