headcount
the total number of employees
In more detail
1. (noun) the total number of people in a group or organization
2. (noun) a person counted as part of a group or organization
Examples
- 1. The company increased its headcount by hiring ten new employees.
- 2. We need more headcounts on the project team to meet the deadline.
How to use headcount
Headcount is a business and organizational term used to refer to the number of employees or members in a company or group. It is commonly used in HR, management, and budgeting contexts to discuss staffing levels and organizational size. The term treats people as countable units, which is why some consider it slightly impersonal, though it is standard professional usage.
Common phrases
- increase headcount
- reduce headcount
- current headcount
- total headcount
- headcount budget
- headcount planning
Synonyms
number of people · total staff · personnel count · roster size · employee count
Word family
headcount (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use 'head count' as two words; the standard form is typically written as one word, 'headcount', especially in modern business English.
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