minimum wage

¹

noun

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

minimum-wage

²

[min-uh-muhm-weyj]

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.

minimum wage

noun

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

minimum wage

1. The lowest legal hourly wage.

Word History and Origins

Origin of minimum wage¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

The protests earlier in August were triggered primarily by a $3,000 monthly housing allowances given to lawmakers - nearly 10 times the minimum wage in Jakarta.

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Many residents in New Jersey’s southern counties are hourly workers, and even with a high minimum wage, the cost of living remains out of reach.

Read more on Salon

While stores may want to avoid hiring more people amid regular increases in minimum wage, they may find that being forced to hire more people actually boosts sales and efficiency.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

What Democrats propose in the face of growing economic inequity are more jobs, a higher minimum wage, support for workers to unionize and better social safeguards.

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In July, her decision to double her salary to almost 35 times that of the monthly minimum wage in Peru was met with scorn and derision.

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Related Words

• living wage