employment of children under 14.3 the number of people who have jobs [= unemployment]:Nationwide employment now stands at 95%.full employment (=a situation in which everyone has a job)Many economists consider full employment an unrealistic goal.4 formal the use of a particular object, method, skill etc to achieve somethingemployment ofWas the employment of force justified?Conditions of Employment condition1situation conditions [plural] the situation in which people live or work, especially the physical things that affect the quality of their lives:Conditions in the prison were atrocious.living/working conditionsan attempt to improve living conditions for the working classes Poor working conditions lead to demoralized and unproductive employees.in appalling/overcrowded/dreadful etc conditionsThese children work 70 metres below ground in appalling conditions.In May, staff went on strike, demanding better pay and conditions.2weather conditions [plural] the weather at a particular time, especially when you are considering how this affects people:The conditions during the first half of the match were appalling.cold/windy/icy etc conditionsIn cold conditions you'll need a sleeping bag with a hood.the worsening weather conditions3things affecting situation conditions [plural] all the things that affect the way something happensunder ... conditionsUnder normal conditions, people will usually do what requires least effort.Under these conditions, the fire can be rapidly controlled.Profits increased by 1.5m, despite the difficult economic conditions.The combination of rain and greasy surfaces made driving conditions treacherous.4state [singular, uncountable] the state that something is in, especially how good or bad its physical state isin (a) good/poor/excellent/terrible etc conditionThe car has been well maintained and is in excellent condition.The house was in a terrible condition.condition ofThe condition of nuclear plants is a matter of great concern.5health/fitness [singular, uncountable] how healthy or fit you are:She is being treated at Walton Hospital, where her condition is described as 'satisfactory'.in (a) critical/stable/satisfactory conditionOne of the victims was in a critical condition after suffering severe burns.physical/mental conditionIf you are uncertain about your physical condition, check with your doctor before trying these exercises.'I'm so out of condition (=unfit),' she panted.an athlete in peak conditionin no condition to do something (=too drunk, ill, or upset to be able to do something)I was in no condition to cope with a train journey.Mark can't possibly drive home in that condition (=when he is so drunk, ill, or upset).6agreement/contract [countable] something that you must agree to in order for something to happen, especially when this is included in a contractCOLLOCATIONS lay down/impose/set conditions (=say what must be done)strict conditionmeet/satisfy/fulfil a condition (=do what has been agreed)terms and conditions (=what a contract says must be done)on condition that/on one condition (=only if a particular thing is agreed to)subject to conditions (=if particular things are agreed to)She laid down only one condition: that her name not be revealed.condition forThere were strict conditions for letting us use their information.The bank agreed to extend the loan if certain conditions were met.A statement of your terms and conditions of employment can be found in the Personnel Handbook.He was released on bail on condition that he did not go within half a mile of his mother's address.The application was approved, subject to certain conditions.7for something to happen [countable]