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• minimum wage
  minimum wage

  noun

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

  adjective

  of or relating to a minimum wage.

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

In some places, employers must pay a full minimum wage before tips are even considered.

From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026

Under the new contract, minimum wage rates will increase by 3% annually.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

However, ministers are considering delaying these plans, after businesses warned increases in the minimum wage would make it too expensive for them to hire young people.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday hiked the minimum wage package by 26.3 percent, to $240, in an attempt to quell growing discontent over difficult living conditions.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

The pay was just above minimum wage, which suited me fine.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers

Related Words

• living wage