concern

1 noun

1 WORRY

a) (C) something that worries you: The main concern is that the health of the employees will be at risk.

b) (U) a feeling of worry, especially about something such as a social problem, someone's health etc: The recent rise in crime is a matter of considerable public concern.

(+ about/over): There is growing concern about the effects of pollution on health. | concern for sb: A government spokesman expressed concern for the lives of the hostages. | cause concern/be a cause for concern: The depletion of the ozone layer is causing widespread concern among scientists.

2 be of concern (to sb) if something is of concern to you, it is important to you and you feel worried about it: The rise in unemployment is of great concern to the government.

3 (C, U) something that is important to you or that involves you: His main concern is to be able to provide for his family.

4 FEELING FOR SB (singular, uncountable) a feeling of wanting someone to be happy and healthy

(+ for): parent's loving concern for their children

5 sb's concern if something is your concern, you are responsible for it: The money side of the business is your concern.

6 not sb's concern/none of sb's concern if something is not your concern, you are not interested in it and you do not need to worry about it or become involved in it: How much money I earn is none of your concern.

7 BUSINESS (C) a business or company: The restaurant is a family concern. | a going concern (=a business that is financially successful)

2 verb (T)

1 if an activity, situation, rule etc concerns you, it affects you or involves you: The tax changes will concern large corporations rather than small businesses.

2 (not in passive) to make someone feel worried or upset: The fact that she spends so much time on her own really concerns me.

3 (not in passive) if a story, book, report etc concerns someone or something, it is about them: This article concerns a man who was wrongly imprisoned.

4 concern yourself with/about sth to become involved in something because you are interested in it or because it worries you: More and more people are concerning themselves with environmental problems.

5 to whom it may concern an expression written at the beginning of a formal letter when you do not know the name of the person you want to communicate with

-see also: concerned