wage

American  

[weyj] / weɪdʒ /

noun

1. Often wages. money that is paid or received for work or services, as by the hour, day, or week.

   Synonyms:

   remuneration , compensation , emolument , earnings

2. Economics.  Usually wages. the share of the products of industry received by labor for its work (as distinct from the share going to capital).

3. (used with a singular or plural verb)  Usually wages. recompense or return.

   The wages of sin is death.

4. Obsolete.  a pledge or security.

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verb (used with object)

waged, waging

1. to carry on (a battle, war, conflict, argument, etc.).

   to wage war against a nation.

   Synonyms:

   prosecute , undertake

2. Chiefly British Dialect.  to hire.

3. Obsolete.

   1. to stake or wager.

   2. to pledge.

verb (used without object)

waged, waging

1. Obsolete.  to contend; struggle.

wage British  

/ weɪdʒ /

noun

1. 1. (often plural) payment in return for work or services, esp that made to workmen on a daily, hourly, weekly, or piece-work basis Compare salary

   2. ( as modifier )

      wage freeze

2. (plural) economics the portion of the national income accruing to labour as earned income, as contrasted with the unearned income accruing to capital in the form of rent, interest, and dividends

3. (often plural) recompense, return, or yield

4. an obsolete word for pledge

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verb

1. to engage in

2. obsolete  to pledge or wager

3. archaic  another word for hire hire

Related Words

See pay ¹.

Other Word Forms

• underwage noun
• wageless adjective
• wagelessness noun

Etymology

Origin of wage

First recorded in 1275–1325; (noun) Middle English: “pledge, security,” from Anglo-French; Old French guage gage ¹, from unattested Vulgar Latin wadium, from Germanic ( wed ); (verb) Middle English wagen “to pledge,” from Anglo-French wagier; Old French guagier, from unattested Vulgar Latin wadiāre, derivative of wadium

Example Sentences

Kitchener later served as Secretary of State for War and was instrumental in expanding Britain’s army to wage a prolonged struggle of attrition in Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal

“These violations are not about withholding wages or failing to pay partners, but as part of the agreement, some current and former partners will receive payouts. This compensation is about compliance, not unpaid wages.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Newell Brands has been waging a turnaround since 2023, seeking in part to raise performance standards, simplify processes and streamline overhead.

From The Wall Street Journal

The central bank will pay special attention to the outlook for wage increases, he said in a speech to business leaders Monday in Nagoya, central Japan.

From The Wall Street Journal

Young farm women lived in boardinghouses, working 12-14 hour days for cash wages.

From The Wall Street Journal