minimum wage

¹ American  

noun

1. the lowest wage payable to employees in general or to designated employees as fixed by law or by union agreement.

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minimum-wage ² American  

[min-uh-muhm-weyj] / ˈmɪn ə məmˈweɪdʒ /

adjective

1. of or relating to a minimum wage.

   minimum-wage demands.

2. paid or earning a minimum wage.

   a minimum-wage worker.

3. paying a minimum wage.

   a minimum-wage job.

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minimum wage British  

noun

1. the lowest wage that an employer is permitted to pay by law or union contract

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minimum wage Cultural  

1. The lowest legal hourly wage.

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Etymology

Origin of minimum wage

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

A bill introduced this week in the City Council would raise New York’s minimum wage to the highest in the country—for any city or state.

From The Wall Street Journal

"But in the winter I'm lucky to get 20 hours work a week, on minimum wage, so it is a struggle."

From BBC

"We've still got people earning less than the minimum wage. They are often not paid for travel, they are often not paid for holidays," she said.

From BBC

Because delivery drivers are independent contractors, they aren’t guaranteed minimum wage nationwide or additional benefits.

From Salon

Under this policy, employers can pay tipped workers less than the standard minimum wage and count tips toward the difference.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• living wage