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

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

Etymology

Origin of productivity

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

Example Sentences

Each option reduces overall productivity, cutting supplies of basic foods, feed for livestock and key ingredients used in a wide range of food products.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

Making it worse are Warsh’s recent statements that we could have lower rates because of an AI productivity boom.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Fortunately, U.S. productivity growth has been above historical averages for the past several years, said Greg Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

A larger capital stock will support productivity gains and boost wages and employment over time.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

For work flow to keep advancing along these lines, though, and deliver the productivity enhancements we want, “we need more and more common standards,” said IBM’s strategic planner Cawley.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman

Related Words

• capacity
• fertility
• production
• yield