wage

play

noun \ˈwāj\

Definition of wage

1a : a payment usually of money for labor or services usually according to contract and on an hourly, daily, or piecework basis —often used in pluralb wages plural : the share of the national product attributable to labor as a factor in production
2 : recompense, reward —usually used in pl. but singular or plural in construction the wages of sin is death — Romans 6:23 (Revised Standard Version)

wageless

play \ˈwāj-ləs\ adjective

See wage defined for English-language learners

Examples of wage in a Sentence

Both of them make decent wages.
The table and chairs cost two weeks' wages.
The company offers competitive wages and good benefits.
The company gave workers a four percent wage increase this year.

Origin and Etymology of wage

Middle English, pledge, recompense, from Anglo-French wage, gage, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wetti pledge — more at wed

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

wage

verb

Definition of wage

waged

;

waging

transitive verb
: to engage in or carry on wage war wage a campaign
intransitive verb
: to be in process of occurring the riot waged for several hours — Amer. Guide Series: Md.

See wage defined for English-language learners

See wage defined for kids

Examples of wage in a Sentence

They waged a guerrilla war against the government.
Local activists are waging a campaign to end homelessness in the region.

Origin and Etymology of wage

Middle English, to offer surety, put up as a stake, hire, from Anglo-French *wager, gager, from wage

First Known Use: 14th century

WAGE Defined for English Language Learners

wage

play

noun

Definition of wage for English Language Learners

: an amount of money that a worker is paid based on the number of hours, days, etc., that are worked

wage

verb

Definition of wage for English Language Learners

: to start and continue (a war, battle, etc.) in order to get or achieve something

WAGE Defined for Kids

wage

play

noun \ˈwāj\

Definition of wage for Students

: payment for work done especially when figured by the hour or day

wage

play

verb

Definition of wage for Students

waged

;

waging

: to engage in : carry on The new police chief vowed to wage a fight against crime.

Law Dictionary

wage

noun

Legal Definition of wage

1 : a payment usually of money for labor or services usually according to a contract and on an hourly, daily, or piecework basis —often used in plural
2 pl : the share of the national product attributable to labor as a factor in production