economy

1 of 2

noun

econ·​o·​my i-ˈkä-nə-mē How to pronounce economy (audio)
ə-, 
ē-
plural economies
Synonyms of economy
1
: the structure or conditions of economic life in a country, area, or period
also : an economic system
2
a
: thrifty and efficient use of material resources : frugality in expenditures
also : an instance or a means of economizing : saving
b
: efficient and concise use of nonmaterial resources (such as effort, language, or motion)
3
a
: the arrangement or mode of operation of something : organization
b
: a system especially of interaction and exchange
an economy of information
4
archaic : the management of household or private affairs and especially expenses

economy

2 of 2

adjective

: designed to save money
economy cars

Synonyms of economy

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Noun

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Examples of economy in a Sentence

Noun The war altered the country's economy. An increase in tourism will help the city's economy. We must learn to practice economy. We'll also benefit from the economies provided by more efficient energy sources. It would be false economy to repair the leak without replacing the pipe.
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Noun
The risk of conflict is growing and the threat to the international economy is severe. — Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026 Andy’s view Almost 14 years into Xi Jinping’s norm-busting reign, just about everybody is unhappy with his economy. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026 The students' message during the campaign focused on a nonpartisan effort to rebuild Serbia's economy and restore its democracy. — Jovana Gec, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026 White militias destroyed their homes, torched their food supplies, and slaughtered them outright so routinely that a secondary economy of kidnappers sprang up to sell the survivors, children and adults alike, into servitude. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for economy

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English yconomye, borrowed from Middle French yconomie, economie, borrowed from Medieval Latin yconomia, economia, oekonomia (Late Latin, "organization of the Trinity, plan, dispensation," Latin oeconomia "arrangement of material by an author,"), borrowed from Greek oikonomía "management of a household, direction, arrangement," from oikonómos "manager of a household, steward," (from oîkos "house" + -nomos, noun derivative of némein "to have management or control of, rule, direct") + -ia -y entry 2 — more at vicinity, nimble

Adjective

from attributive use of economy entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Adjective

1821, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of economy was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing economy

Rhymes for economy

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Browse Nearby Words

economizer
economy
economy coil
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Cite this Entry

“Economy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

economy

noun
econ·​o·​my
i-ˈkän-ə-mē
plural economies
1
: careful use of money and goods : thrift
2
: a special arrangement or system : organization
3
: the way an economic system (as of a country or a period in history) is arranged
Etymology

Noun

derived from Greek oikonomos "household manager," from oikos "house" and nemein "to manage"

Medical Definition

economy

noun
econ·​o·​my i-ˈkän-ə-mē How to pronounce economy (audio)
plural economies
1
: the system of operation of the processes of anabolism and catabolism in living bodies
the economy of the cell
2
: the body of an animal or plant as an organized whole
disorganizing wide segments of the body economy—Leonard Engel

More from Merriam-Webster on economy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about economy

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