Definition of "unemployment" in English

noun

1. The state of having no job; joblessness.

   • Unemployment made Jack depressed.

2. The phenomenon of joblessness in an economy.

   • Unemployment has been considered a cause of crime.

3. The level of joblessness in an economy, often measured as a percentage of the workforce.

   • Unemployment was reported at 5.2% in May, up from 4.9% in April.

4. (countable) A type of joblessness due to a particular economic mechanism.

   • All unemployments, seasonal, frictional, cyclical, classical, whatever, mean that you're out of work.

5. (countable) An instance or period of joblessness.

   • Until then his life had consisted of low-paying jobs, numerous unemployments, and drug use.