employ Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the state of being employed or having a job
    employment.
    • they are looking for employment
    • he was in the employ of the city
  2. verb put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
    apply; use; utilize; utilise.
    • use your head!
    • we only use Spanish at home
    • I can't use this tool
    • Apply a magnetic field here
    • This thinking was applied to many projects
    • How do you utilize this tool?
    • I apply this rule to get good results
    • use the plastic bags to store the food
    • He doesn't know how to use a computer
  3. verb engage or hire for work
    hire; engage.
    • They hired two new secretaries in the department
    • How many people has she employed?

WordNet

Em*ploy" transitive verb
Etymology
F. employer, fr. L. implicare to fold into, infold, involve, implicate, engage; in + plicare to fold. See Ply, and cf. Imply, Implicate.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Employed ; present participle & verbal noun Employing
Definitions
  1. To inclose; to infold. Obs. Chaucer.
  2. To use; to have in service; to cause to be engaged in doing something; -- often followed by in, about, on, or upon, and sometimes by to; as: (a) To make use of, as an instrument, a means, a material, etc., for a specific purpose; to apply; as, to employ the pen in writing, bricks in building, words and phrases in speaking; to employ the mind; to employ one's energies.
    This is a day in which the thoughts . . . ought to be employed on serious subjects. Addison.
    (b) To occupy; as, to employ time in study. (c) To have or keep at work; to give employment or occupation to; to intrust with some duty or behest; as, to employ a hundred workmen; to employ an envoy.
    Jonathan . . . and Jahaziah . . . were employed about this matter. Ezra x. 15.
    Thy vineyard must employ the sturdy steer To turn the glebe. Dryden.
    Syn. -- To use; busy; apply; exercise; occupy; engross; engage. See Use.
Em*ploy" noun
Etymology
Cf. F. emploi.
Definitions
  1. That which engages or occupies a person; fixed or regular service or business; employment.
    The whole employ of body and of mind. Pope.

Webster 1913