employed; employing; employs
1
a
: to make use of (someone or something inactive)
employ a pen for sketching
b
: to use (something, such as time) advantageously
a job that employed her skills
c(1)
: to use or engage the services of
(2)
: to provide with a job that pays wages or a salary
2
: to devote to or direct toward a particular activity or person
employed all her energies to help the poor
1
b
: occupation, job
2
: the state of being employed
in the city's employ
Synonyms
Examples of employ in a Sentence
Verb
The company is accused of employing questionable methods to obtain the contract.
You should find better ways to employ your time.
I had to employ a lawyer to review the contract.
It's a small company, employing a staff of only 20.
Noun
while you're under our employ, you can't do outside work for our competitors
Recent Examples on the Web
Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2024
In recent years, the British national health care system has employed 1,000 new link workers, with the goal of making social prescribing available to 900,000 people by 2024.
—Christina Caron, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for employ 
Verb
Because staff at those schools will no longer be employed with Messmer, a WARN notice needed to be filed.
—Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2024
In recent years, the British national health care system has employed 1,000 new link workers, with the goal of making social prescribing available to 900,000 people by 2024.
—Christina Caron, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for employ
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'employ.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near employ
Cite this Entry
“Employ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/employ. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
employ
1 of 2 verb
em·ploy
im-ˈplȯi 
1
: to make use of : use
2
a
: to use or obtain the services of
employ a lawyer to draw up a will
b
: to provide with a job that pays wages or a salary
employ a staff of twenty
3
: to use or direct toward a particular goal
employ all of your energies to getting the job done
employable
adjective
-ə-bəl
employ
2 of 2 noun
: employment especially for wages or a salary
generous to people in their employ
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