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

Benefits would rely on only what comes in from Social Security taxes paid by workers and employers.

From MarketWatch

All the worker has to do is fill out name, address, employer, date, email, phone and signature.

From The Wall Street Journal

They are paid by their employer, so it’s technically not free advice, and you should be careful that they don’t sell you unnecessary insurance and/or annuities.

From MarketWatch

A range of prominent employers such as Amazon.com, Verizon, Target and United Parcel Service have cut white-collar roles in recent months, adding to the unease among workers.

From The Wall Street Journal

For employers, higher minimum wage costs and National Insurance contributions announced last year mean they're footing higher costs in an economy with sluggish growth.

From BBC

Related Words

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