productivity

American  

[proh-duhk-tiv-i-tee, prod-uhk‑] / ˌproʊ dʌkˈtɪv ɪ ti, ˌprɒd ʌk‑ /

noun

productivities plural

1. the quality, state, or fact of being able to generate, create, enhance, or bring forth goods and services.

   The productivity of the group's effort surprised everyone.

2. Economics. the rate at which goods and services having exchange value are brought forth or produced.

   Productivity increased dramatically last year.

3. Grammar. the ability to form new words using established patterns and discrete linguistic elements, as the derivational affixes -ness and -ity,

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productivity British  

/ ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

1. the output of an industrial concern in relation to the materials, labour, etc, it employs

2. the state of being productive

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productivity Cultural  

1. In business, a measure of worker efficiency, such as one hundred units per hour. In economics, involvement in the creation of goods and services to produce wealth.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonproductivity
  noun
• semiproductivity
  noun
• unproductivity
  noun
• antiproductivity
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• productivities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of productivity

First recorded in 1800–10; productiv(e) ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Explanation

Use the noun productivity to describe how much you can get done. Your boss at work probably keeps track of your productivity — meaning he’s checking to see how much work you do and how well you do it. The word productivity is often used in the workplace. It can describe the performance of individual workers, a department, or even an entire industry. You’ll often hear it used with a percentage. Your boss might come in with a smile and say that productivity has increased by 30 percent. Productivity is also frequently used in relation to farming. If you live in a farming community you likely hear news reports about agricultural productivity in your area.

Example Sentences

Many economists think AI could bolster productivity and allow for faster growth, though there is concern it could lead to job losses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026

Dong and Briggs also wrote that there are signs of increased productivity in the few areas where generative AI has been implemented.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

The companies said in a news release Tuesday that they will work together on productivity, quality and costs and move toward mass production of Joby’s electric vertical takeoff aircraft.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

There also will likely be questions on Warsh’s announced plans to establish task forces to review Fed communications, the balance sheet, economic data usage, productivity and jobs, and inflation frameworks.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

The very low rainfall and productivity of most of Australia makes it effectively even smaller as regards its capacity to support human populations.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• capacity
• fertility
• production
• yield