employ
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
employs;
employed;
employing
employs;
employed;
employing
Britannica Dictionary definition of EMPLOY
[+ object]
1
somewhat formal
a
:
to use (something) for a particular purpose or to do something
-
She employed [=used] a pen for sketching wildlife.
-
a method (widely/commonly/frequently) employed to improve garden soil
-
The company is accused of employing questionable methods to obtain the contract.
b
:
to use or direct (something, such as your time or effort) in order to achieve a particular goal
-
You should find better ways to employ your time.
-
Your time could be better employed [=spent] in learning a new skill.
2
a
:
to use or get the services of (someone) to do a particular job
-
I had to employ a lawyer to review the contract.
b
:
to provide (someone) with a job that pays wages or a salary
— often + as
-
It's a small company, employing a staff of only 20.
-
He's employed by the local drugstore. [=he has a job at the local drugstore]
-
She hasn't been gainfully employed [=hasn't had a job that pays wages or a salary] for a few years.
-
She's been employed as a gardener for many years.
-
He lacks the skills needed to be employable.
2
employ
/ɪmˈploɪ/
noun
2
employ
/ɪmˈploɪ/
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of EMPLOY
in someone's employ
formal
:
employed by someone for wages or a salary
-
The company has been generous to people in their employ. [=generous to their employees]
-
The defendant was at that time in the employ of [=employed by] a trucking company.
