1
a
: a payment usually of money for labor or services usually according to contract and on an hourly, daily, or piecework basis
—often used in plural
b
wages plural
: the share of the national product attributable to labor as a factor in production
2
: recompense, reward
—usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction
the wages of sin is death—
Romans 6:23 (Revised Standard Version)
Romans 6:23 (Revised Standard Version)
waged; waging
: to engage in or carry on
wage war
wage a campaign
: to be in process of occurring
the riot waged for several hours—Amer. Guide Series: Md.
Amer. Guide Series: Md.Examples of wage in a Sentence
Noun
Both of them make decent wages.
The table and chairs cost two weeks' wages.
The company offers competitive wages and good benefits.
The company gave workers a four percent wage increase this year.
Verb
They waged a guerrilla war against the government.
Local activists are waging a campaign to end homelessness in the region.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dennis W. Jansen, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Taxpayers May Only Earn Certain Types Of Income The acceptable forms of income include W-2 wage income, SSA-1099 Social Security Income, 1099-G Unemployment Compensation, 1099-INT Interest Income, and 1099-R Retirement Income.
—Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
During his first term in office, the president waged a crusade against appliances that sacrifice efficacy in the name of efficiency.
—The Editors, National Review, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wage
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Noun
The government increases this cap annually based on wage increases and inflation.
—Dennis W. Jansen, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Taxpayers May Only Earn Certain Types Of Income The acceptable forms of income include W-2 wage income, SSA-1099 Social Security Income, 1099-G Unemployment Compensation, 1099-INT Interest Income, and 1099-R Retirement Income.
—Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
The groups later gave millions to a political committee waging an anti-marijuana campaign backed by the governor.
—Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
During his first term in office, the president waged a crusade against appliances that sacrifice efficacy in the name of efficiency.
—The Editors, National Review, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wage
Cite this Entry
“Wage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wage. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wage
1 of 2 verb
waged; waging
1
: to engage in or carry on
wage war
wage a campaign
2
: to be in the process of occurring
the battle waged for hours
wage
2 of 2 noun1
: a payment for work or services usually calculated on an hourly, daily, or piecework basis
—often used in plural
2
singular or plural
: something given or received because of one's actions : reward
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