Employ | Mean of employ in English Dictionary

/ɪmˈploɪ/

• Verb
• to use (something) for a particular purpose or to do something
1. She employed [=used] a pen for sketching wildlife.
2. a method (widely/commonly/frequently) employed to improve garden soil
3. The company is accused of employing questionable methods to obtain the contract.
• to use or direct (something, such as your time or effort) in order to achieve a particular goal
1. You should find better ways to employ your time.
2. Your time could be better employed [=spent] in learning a new skill.
• to use or get the services of (someone) to do a particular job
1. I had to employ a lawyer to review the contract.

• to provide (someone) with a job that pays wages or a salary
1. It's a small company, employing a staff of only 20.
2. He's employed by the local drugstore. [=he has a job at the local drugstore]
3. She hasn't been gainfully employed [=hasn't had a job that pays wages or a salary] for a few years.
4. She's been employed as a gardener for many years.
• Noun
• employed by someone for wages or a salary
1. The company has been generous to people in their employ. [=generous to their employees]
2. The defendant was at that time in the employ of [=employed by] a trucking company.