First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1economy
noun econ·o·my \i-ˈkä-nə-mē, ə-, ē-\
: the process or system by which goods and services are produced, sold, and bought in a country or region
: careful use of money, resources, etc.
: something that makes it possible for you to spend less money
plural econ·o·mies
Full Definition of ECONOMY
1
archaic : the management of household or private affairs and especially expenses
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 (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
: the structure or conditions of economic life in a country, area, or period; also : an economic system
See economy defined for English-language learners
See economy defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of ECONOMY
Related to ECONOMY
- Synonyms
- frugality, husbandry, parsimony, penny-pinching, providence, scrimping, skimping, thrift
- Antonyms
- diseconomy, wastefulness
2economy
adjective
: designed to cost less money
Full Definition of ECONOMY
: designed to save money <economy cars>
See economy defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ECONOMY
circa 1906
Other Economics Terms
Rhymes with ECONOMY
ECONOMY[1] Defined for Kids
economy
noun econ·o·my \i-ˈkä-nə-mē\
plural econ·o·mies
Definition of ECONOMY for Kids
1
: the way in which goods and services are made, sold, and used in a country or area <the city's economy>
2
: the careful use of money and goods : thrift <With economy and restraint, they managed to live on their small income.>
Medical Dictionary
economy
noun econ·o·my \i-ˈkän-ə-mē\
plural econ·o·mies
Medical Definition of ECONOMY
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>
Learn More About ECONOMY
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: economy coilPrevious Word in the Dictionary: economizeAll Words Near: economy
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up economy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).