piecework

noun

piece·​work ˈpēs-ˌwərk 

: work done by the piece and paid for at a set rate per unit

pieceworker

ˈpēs-ˌwər-kər 

noun

Examples of piecework in a Sentence

doing piecework in a factory

Recent Examples on the Web

This has been a much different season of television from the first, with much less inter-office conspiring and much more piecework storytelling, but things are circling back together in a bunch of ways. —Brian Grubb, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025

For a piecework tailor, knocking off at dinner time was unaffordable. —Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025

The stitchers did piecework solo and assembled them in Belen for critiques. —Melena Ryzik, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2023

Workers agree to let Lincoln change their working hours according to demand and pay by piecework rather than by hour in exchange for the company promising not to fire anyone for lack of business. —Alan Murray, Fortune, 20 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for piecework

• bodywork
• handiwork
• ironwork
• latticework
• masterwork
• metalwork
• needlework
• openwork
• overwork
• paperwork
• subnetwork
• artwork

Kids Definition

piecework

noun

piece·​work ˈpē-ˌswərk 

: work paid for at a rate based on the number of articles produced rather than the time spent working

pieceworker

-ˌswər-kər 

noun

Legal Definition

piecework

noun

piece·​work ˈpēs-ˌwərk 

: work done by the piece and paid for at a set rate per unit