productivity

noun

pro·​duc·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌprō-dək-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce productivity (audio)
ˌprä-, 
prə-ˌdək-
Synonyms of productivity
1
: the quality or state of being productive
2
: the rate per unit area or per unit volume at which biomass consumable as food by other organisms is made by producers

Examples of productivity in a Sentence

The country has low agricultural productivity. The company is looking for ways to improve worker productivity. There has been an increase in productivity.
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.
The risk owes primarily to lost productivity among workers in such industries, the report said. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 8 July 2026 Trump’s 2025 tax cuts, big gains in productivity and a strong stock market are also giving the American economy a lift. — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 By targeting enterprise and productivity use cases, smartglasses companies can sell and build at scale while also setting themselves up for consumer adoption. — Cortney Harding, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 The World Bank Group’s latest Global Economic Prospects report highlights AI’s potential to become an important source of productivity growth and investment at a time when the global economy is facing a structural slowdown. — Paschal Donohoe, Time, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for productivity

Word History

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of productivity was in 1808

Phrases Containing productivity

Rhymes for productivity

See All Rhymes for productivity

Browse Nearby Words

productiveness
productivity
product line
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Productivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/productivity. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

productivity

noun
pro·​duc·​tiv·​i·​ty (ˌ)prō-ˌdək-ˈtiv-ət-ē How to pronounce productivity (audio)
ˌpräd-(ˌ)ək-, 
prə-ˌdək-
1
: the quality or state of being productive
2
: the rate of production at which food for other living things is made by living things that are producers
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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