productivity

American  

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

noun

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

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

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

Productivity related to AI is likely emerging this year, it adds, and seen to become a powerful tailwind later in the productivity cycle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

"For some people, the noise is constant and bothersome, interfering with their productivity and quality of life," Price said.

From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026

Wadhwani is the former CEO of AppDynamics, and is currently president of Adobe’s creativity and productivity unit.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

Tech companies will spend as much as one trillion dollars on AI development next year, and expected productivity gains have helped push up shares of perceived AI winners.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

One week, after a lecture by the foreman on increasing productivity, Lefty speeded up his work, grinding a bearing every twelve seconds instead of fourteen.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• capacity
• fertility
• production
• yield