Dictionary
em•ploy
Pronunciation: (em-ploi'), [key]—
v.t.
1. to hire or engage the services of (a person or persons); provide employment for; have or keep in one's service:
This factory employs thousands of people.
2. to keep busy or at work; engage the attentions of:
He employs himself by reading after work.
3. to make use of (an instrument, means, etc.); use; apply:
to employ a hammer to drive a nail.
4. to occupy or devote (time, energies, etc.):
I employ my spare time in reading. I employ all my energies in writing.
—
n.
employment; service:
to be in someone's employ. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.