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piece rate

American  

noun

  1. compensation based on a worker's quantitative output or production, usually an agreed sum per article of work turned out.


piece rate British  

noun

  1. a fixed rate paid according to the quantity produced

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of piece rate

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"They told me the labor contractor fired them because they were working on a piece rate and weren't picking fast enough," recalls Cruz, who himself works as a broccoli cutter.

From Salon Dec. 13, 2022

Physical health challenges can create stress for workers, many of whom are paid by piece rate.

From Seattle Times Nov. 20, 2022

About 85% of garment workers do not earn the minimum wage and are instead paid a piece rate of between 2-6 cents per piece.

From Reuters Sep. 28, 2021

“It doesn’t matter if you’re paid by piece rate or by client. Workers need to feel safe in coming forward if there’s a problem,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 2, 2017

She was a seamstress on Second Avenue and made Klondike coats at piece rate.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

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