econ·o·my
i-ˈkä-nə-mē 
ə-,
ē-
plural economies
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
: designed to save money
economy cars
Synonyms
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mike Schneider, Quartz, 28 Apr. 2024
The spending figure underscored that even while the U.S. economy slowed in the first three months of 2024, consumer demand remained healthy, suggesting that economic growth remains on track.
—Christopher Rugaber The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 27 Apr. 2024
The next day, Norges Bank may keep the deposit rate on hold after Norway’s economy developed better than expected, even as inflation slowed faster than projected.
—Reade Pickert, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2024
Across the world, the revival of tourism has helped give a massive boost to local economies, but also brought headaches to local communities.
—Koh Ewe, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
The world-scale hydrogen project will create thousands of high-quality jobs in our state and will accelerate a green industrialization of our economy.
—Sacramento Bee, 26 Apr. 2024
Fifteen years later, Wisconsin's economy has rebounded and unemployment dipped to 2.6% as recently as March 2023 and employers scramble to fill openings.
—Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024
China, too, has allowed security concerns to affect a greater proportion of its economy, even as Mr. Xi and other Chinese leaders have tried to reassure foreign businesses that their investment is welcome.
—Ana Swanson, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
The New York Times The ‘stingy economy’ China’s Gen Z consumers are looking to save money amid a slower economy and stubbornly high youth unemployment.
—Alan Murray, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2024
Noun
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—Mike Schneider, Quartz, 28 Apr. 2024
The spending figure underscored that even while the U.S. economy slowed in the first three months of 2024, consumer demand remained healthy, suggesting that economic growth remains on track.
—Christopher Rugaber The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 27 Apr. 2024
The next day, Norges Bank may keep the deposit rate on hold after Norway’s economy developed better than expected, even as inflation slowed faster than projected.
—Reade Pickert, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2024
Across the world, the revival of tourism has helped give a massive boost to local economies, but also brought headaches to local communities.
—Koh Ewe, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
The world-scale hydrogen project will create thousands of high-quality jobs in our state and will accelerate a green industrialization of our economy.
—Sacramento Bee, 26 Apr. 2024
Fifteen years later, Wisconsin's economy has rebounded and unemployment dipped to 2.6% as recently as March 2023 and employers scramble to fill openings.
—Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024
China, too, has allowed security concerns to affect a greater proportion of its economy, even as Mr. Xi and other Chinese leaders have tried to reassure foreign businesses that their investment is welcome.
—Ana Swanson, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
The New York Times The ‘stingy economy’ China’s Gen Z consumers are looking to save money amid a slower economy and stubbornly high youth unemployment.
—Alan Murray, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'economy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near economy
Cite this Entry
“Economy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economy. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
economy
noun
econ·o·my
i-ˈkän-ə-mē
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
Leonard EngelLove words? Need even more definitions?
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