labor market

American  

noun

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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of labor market

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

With the labor market firming, Fed policymakers flagged an increased concern about inflation, and rate hikes are potentially in the pipeline to tame raging prices.

From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026

The labor market is recovering from a weak patch, corporate earnings are strong and the economy is still growing, bolstered by a rush of business investment in artificial intelligence technology.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

Underlying inflation has proven stickier than he expected this year and a labor market he thought would weaken has instead held firm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

The Citrini team also takes aim at the labor market, which, despite strong payrolls data, is not overheating, in their view.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 15, 2026

With men being absorbed into the military services, with women already in demand by eager employers, the labor market was as exhausted as the war workers themselves.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly