productivity

noun

pro·​duc·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌprō-dək-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce productivity (audio)
ˌprä-,
prə-ˌdək-
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 From investors’ relatively subdued sentiment levels to rising productivity and the fundamental strength of Big Tech leadership, this isn’t a bubble just yet. Will Daniel, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024 Some economists say that trend, along with business investment in automation, is helping fuel a surge in productivity that allows companies to raise pay and reap bigger profits without necessarily raising prices. Paul Wiseman, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024 Deployed by 2,500 clients, the tool predicts cash flows, signaling AI's growing influence in banking productivity. Detroit Free Press, 9 Mar. 2024 Economists note that all these pressures will combine in the medium term to a decline in labor productivity. Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2024 With a chilling practicality, systems and tools designed to enhance productivity can also separate the killers from the killing, stifling pesky human impulses like empathy and conscience. Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Actual diversity must be diversity of thought and personality types, which directly correlates to an increase in creativity and productivity. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 In addition to productivity and business tools, Setapp on iOS will also offer design software, utility apps, productivity services, and more. Emma Roth, The Verge, 29 Feb. 2024 Despite almost two straight years of dire forecasts, unemployment remains low, consumer spending has held steady, and productivity is on the rise. TIME, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'productivity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of productivity was in 1808

Dictionary Entries Near productivity

Cite this Entry

“Productivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/productivity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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