[noncount] 1 : the act of employing someone or something: such as a : the act of using something
▪ We object to the company's employment [=use, utilization] of pesticides.
b : the act of paying someone to do a job
▪ laws that have encouraged the employment of women 2 a : work that a person is paid to do
▪ I've been looking for employment in the machine trade. ▪ The new factory should provide employment for hundreds of workers. ▪ unskilled workers trying to find paid/gainful employment ▪ full-time/part-time employment ▪ She hopes to find employment as a teacher. — often used before another noun ▪ an employment contract ▪ my employment history
b : the state of being employed : the state of being paid to do a job
▪ The magazine did well during the course of her employment as editor.
c : the number of people who have jobs in a particular place or area
▪ Employment is at an all-time high in this part of the state.
d : jobs that are available for workers
▪ The city is faced with inadequate housing and a lack of employment.