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layoff

[ ley-awf, -of ]

/ ˈleɪˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR layoff ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of dismissing employees, especially temporarily.

a period of enforced unemployment or inactivity.

Origin of layoff

1885–90, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase lay off

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH layoff

lay off layoff

Words nearby layoff

layer of rods and cones, layering, layette, laying on of hands, layman, layoff, layout, layover, laypeople, layperson, laysan

Example sentences from the Web for layoff

The gaming site plans to layoff 18 percent of its workforce and shut several offices.

Ex–Zynga Employees Tell All on Reddit |CNBC |June 6, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
You also knew the libs (including the Super PAC I advised, Priorities USA Action) would zero-in on his record as a layoff artist.

Paul Begala on the Five Stages of GOP Grief |Paul Begala |November 7, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Neither presidential campaign responded to a request for comment about the layoff announcement.

Lockheed Martin’s Layoff Notices: An Empty Threat? |Alex Klein |June 27, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Layoff seems to be the most commonly used word despite—or maybe because of—a passivity that cheats the impact of the experience.

The Unemployed Finally Speak Out: D.W. Gibson’s ‘Not Working’ |D.W. Gibson |June 19, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

They would rather cut capital expenditures and expenses, and reduce internal control costs than be forced to layoff key talent.

Anti-Americanism, ‘Repression,’ and No Caviar |Alexis Glick |January 31, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
Would he come back to the farm if this ten day layoff were extended, or would he catch a train for Chicago?

Plowing On Sunday |Sterling North
After this morning, Rogers would post him for the layoff for sure.

All Day Wednesday |Richard Olin
Show them that your layoff hasnt hurt your batting eye, Larry, sang out McRae.

Baseball Joe, Home Run King |Lester Chadwick
Come to think of it, Ernie didn't know there was going to be a layoff.

All Day Wednesday |Richard Olin

Cultural definitions for layoff

layoff

The temporary or permanent removal of a worker from his or her job, usually because of cutbacks in production or corporate reorganization.