unemployment

noun

1. 1

   The state of having no job; joblessness.

   “Unemployment made Jack depressed.”

2. 2

   The phenomenon of joblessness in an economy.

   “Unemployment has been considered a cause of crime.”

3. 3

   The level of joblessness in an economy, often measured as a percentage of the workforce.

   “Unemployment was reported at 5.2% in May, up from 4.9% in April.”

4. 4

   A type of joblessness due to a particular economic mechanism.

   “All unemployments, seasonal, frictional, cyclical, classical, whatever, mean that you're out of work.”

5. 5

   An instance or period of joblessness.

   “Until then his life had consisted of low-paying jobs, numberous unemployments, and drug use.”