economic cycle
nounUK /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈsaɪkəl/
US /ˌiːkəˈnɑːmɪk ˈsaɪkəl/
The way a country's money and jobs go up and down over time, like good times and bad times taking turns.
During the bad part of the economic cycle, many people lose their jobs.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The repeated pattern of growth and decline in a country's economy.
Economists study the economic cycle to predict when the next recession might happen.
3. The stages an economy passes through, from growth to slowdown and back again.
The government tries to smooth out the economic cycle with spending and taxes.
4. A recurring rise and fall in economic activity measured by things like jobs and sales.
Housing prices often follow the economic cycle.