layoff
[ley-awf, -of]
- the act of dismissing employees, especially temporarily.
- a period of enforced unemployment or inactivity.
Show More
Origin of layoff
1885–90, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase lay off
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for layoff
Contemporary Examples
The gaming site plans to layoff 18 percent of its workforce and shut several offices.
You also knew the libs (including the Super PAC I advised, Priorities USA Action) would zero-in on his record as a layoff artist.
Neither presidential campaign responded to a request for comment about the layoff announcement.
Layoff seems to be the most commonly used word despite—or maybe because of—a passivity that cheats the impact of the experience.
They would rather cut capital expenditures and expenses, and reduce internal control costs than be forced to layoff key talent.
Historical Examples
After this morning, Rogers would post him for the layoff for sure.
All Day WednesdayRichard Olin
Come to think of it, Ernie didn't know there was going to be a layoff.
All Day WednesdayRichard Olin
Would he come back to the farm if this ten day layoff were extended, or would he catch a train for Chicago?
Plowing On SundaySterling North
Show them that your layoff hasnt hurt your batting eye, Larry, sang out McRae.
Baseball Joe, Home Run KingLester Chadwick
Word Origin and History for layoff
n.
also lay-off, lay off; 1889, "rest, respite;" from lay (v.) + off. Via seasonal labor with periodic down time, it came to have a sense of "temporary release from employment," and by 1960s was being used somewhat euphemistically for permanent releases of masses of workers by employers. The verbal phrase lay off is attested from 1868 as "dismiss" (an employee); meaning "stop disturbing" is from 1908.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
layoff
The temporary or permanent removal of a worker from his or her job, usually because of cutbacks in production or corporate reorganization.
Show More
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.