gig economy

noun

: economic activity that involves the use of temporary or freelance workers to perform jobs typically in the service sector
One reason the gig economy has taken off: People tend to change jobs more frequently and many enjoy the flexibility of choosing when and where they work.Marcia Pledger
While they are still able to work, boomers will be a big part of a subset of the sharing economy that is sometimes called the "gig economy." Gigs are what they sound like: assignments, contracts or part-time jobs.Linda Nazareth

Examples of gig economy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Clarke is a freelancer staying afloat in the gig economy. Literary Hub, 19 May 2026 After getting customers hooked on two-day shipping and then next-day delivery, Amazon has been working to make same-day arrivals the new standard, and is further pressuring gig economy companies like Instacart, DoorDash and Uber Eats, which drop off orders within a few hours. Annie Palmer, CNBC, 12 May 2026 How many nurses are participating in the gig economy isn’t clear, in part because some hold full-time roles and do gig work in their spare time, but a growing number of them risk being misclassified and missing out on benefits. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026 That could include joining the gig economy, taking on part-time work, or selling unused items to bring in extra cash. Tania Francois, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gig economy

Word History

Etymology

gig entry 1

First Known Use

2009, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gig economy was in 2009

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Cite this Entry

“Gig economy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gig%20economy. Accessed 27 May. 2026.

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