labor market

American  

noun

1. the available supply of labor considered with reference to the demand for it.

---

labor market Cultural  

1. An area of economic exchange in which workers seek jobs and employers seek workers. A “tight” labor market has more jobs than workers. In a “slack” labor market, the reverse is true.

---

Etymology

Origin of labor market

First recorded in 1825–35

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

labor market

“You’re in this zone where the unemployment rate is going down, the labor market is firming and inflation is moving further away from the Fed’s target.”

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 10, 2026

Since the rate-increase decision, economic indicators have pointed to a slowdown in growth and potentially growing slack in the labor market.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2026

He credited both a tight labor market and asset-pricing strength for the willingness of U.S. consumers to spend.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 10, 2026

The U.S. added 165,000 jobs in October, in a sign that the labor market could be strengthening.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

A half an hour or so of Web research revealed an agreeably tight labor market, with entry-level jobs advertised at $8 an hour or more and studio apartments for $400 or less.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---