employer
Americannoun
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a person or business that employs one or more people, especially for wages or salary.
a fair employer.
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a person or thing that makes use of or occupies someone or something.
an inadequate employer of one's time.
noun
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a person, business, firm, etc, that employs workers
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a person who employs; user
Usage
What does employer mean? An employer is a person, company, or organization that employs people—pays them for work. The people who are paid to work are called employees. Employers provide employment. Less commonly, employer can mean something that occupies someone or someone that uses something (the word employ can also mean to use), as in Be a good employer of your time. Example: If the factory closes, thousands of people will lose their jobs—it’s the largest employer in the county.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of employer
Explanation
An employer is the person or organization that you work for. Can't find a job? Look at the bright side: you don't have to cater to the whims of any employer! The verb employ means "to make use of." An employer hires an employee, or worker, in order to employ him at various tasks. A factory owner is an employer who might hire people to work on an assembly line. If you're a teacher, then your school is your employer. If you’re lucky enough to have a generous employer, then you’ll probably want to stay at your job for a while!
Vocabulary lists containing employer
Like A Boss: Words for the Person in Charge
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Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 2
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Vocabulary for the Naturalization Interview
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And despite its multiple beaches, residents laugh when we ask if tourism is a big employer on the island.
From BBC • May 4, 2026
Mattel, Sweet’s longtime employer and the toy company behind the Masters of the Universe characters, confirmed his Tuesday death to The Times.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
On the night of the shooting, Allen emailed his family and a former employer a document titled “Apology and Explanation,” according to the affidavit.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
The level of ACA premiums prior to 2026 was lower than those in employer and small-group markets, by 15% and 23%, respectively.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026
Intrigued, McKibben agreed to meet her potential employer the next day in the lobby of La Fonda, the nicest hotel in town.
From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
