Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - employ

~1 v 1 to pay someone to work for you  (The company employs 2000 people worldwide. | be employed as sth)  (Dave is employed as a baggage handler at the airport. | employ sb to do sth)  (Freelance consultants have been employed to look at ways of reducing waste.)  (- see also self­employed, unemployed1, unemployed2) 2 to use a particular method or skill in order to do something  (The report examines teaching methods employed in the classroom.) 3 be employed in doing sth to spend your time doing something  (Her days are employed in gardening and voluntary work.) ~2 n in sb's employ formal if you are in someone's employ, you work for them  (in the Prince's employ)