layoff

1 of 2

noun

lay·​off ˈlā-ˌȯf How to pronounce layoff (audio)
Synonyms of layoffnext
1
: a period of inactivity or idleness
2
: the act of laying off an employee or a workforce
also : shutdown

lay off

2 of 2

verb

laid off; laying off; lays off

transitive verb

1
: to mark or measure off
2
: to cease to employ (a worker) often temporarily
3
of a bookie : to place all or part of (an accepted bet) with another bookie to reduce the risk
4
a
: to leave undisturbed
b
: avoid, quit
was advised to lay off smoking and alcohol
c
: to refrain from swinging at (a pitch)

intransitive verb

1
: to stop doing or taking something
2
: to leave one alone
wish you'd just lay off

Synonyms of layoff

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Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of layoff in a Sentence

Noun The company announced the layoff of several hundred employees. More layoffs are expected at the factory later this year. The band finally has a new album after a three year layoff. a layoff of three years Verb you need to lay off eating those jelly doughnuts, or you'll end up looking like one
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Many companies have said AI was one of the main reasons for layoffs. — Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 Such notices are required by federal law during mass layoffs. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
Verb
In case the winning bidder does not continue racing, the track will have to lay off its workforce. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026 Corporations lay off workers en masse in hopes of replicating their labor with LLMs. — Matthew Ismael Ruiz, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for layoff

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1748, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of layoff was in 1748

Rhymes for layoff

See All Rhymes for layoff

Browse Nearby Words

layne
layoff
lay off
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Layoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/layoff. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

layoff

1 of 2 noun
lay·​off ˈlā-ˌȯf How to pronounce layoff (audio)
1
: the act of laying off an employee or a work force
2
: a period during which there is no activity

lay off

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)lā-ˈȯf
1
: to mark or measure off
2
: to stop employing (a person) often temporarily
lay off workers
3
: to stop doing or taking something
lay off of that stuff

More from Merriam-Webster on layoff

Nglish: Translation of layoff for Spanish Speakers

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