employer

American  

[em-ploi-er] / ɛmˈplɔɪ ər /

noun

1. a person or business that employs one or more people, especially for wages or salary.

   a fair employer.

2. a person or thing that makes use of or occupies someone or something.

   an inadequate employer of one's time.

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employer British  

/ ɪmˈplɔɪə /

noun

1. a person, business, firm, etc, that employs workers

2. a person who employs; user

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Usage

What does employer mean? An employer is a person, company, or organization that employs people—pays them for work.The people who are paid to work are called employees. Employers provide employment.Less commonly, employer can mean something that occupies someone or someone that uses something (the word employ can also mean to use), as in Be a good employer of your time. Example: If the factory closes, thousands of people will lose their jobs—it’s the largest employer in the county.

Other Word Forms

• preemployer noun
• proemployer adjective

Etymology

Origin of employer

First recorded in 1590–1600; employ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

H-1B fees are typically paid for by employers sponsoring visa applicants.

From The Wall Street Journal

And they can order family members, employers or anyone else who knows suspects’ passwords or decryption methods to provide them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Low jobless claims signal employers are not implementing widespread layoffs, despite a relatively cooler labor market.

From The Wall Street Journal

In Yountville, population 3,400, employers like Keller who oppose this project say they want more workforce housing—just not this version.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. employers laid off more than 1.2 million workers in 2025, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a firm that advises companies on staff reductions and helps departing employees find new work.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• boss
• company
• corporation
• entrepreneur
• executive
• firm
• management
• manager
• manufacturer
• organization
• owner