English · Work & Business
layoff
/ˈleɪ.ɒf/
[/ˈleɪ.ɒf/]
dismissal of workers
Intermediatenoun
Definition
The act of a company ending workers' jobs, usually because there is not enough work or money.
Example
The factory announced layoffs after sales dropped sharply during the long economic downturn.
The factory announced layoffs after sales dropped sharply during the long economic downturn.
Etymology
From the phrasal verb 'lay off', meaning to stop employing temporarily or permanently.
How & Where It’s Used
Used in employment and economics, often during downturns.