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.Synonyms
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
The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
In its lawsuit filed in February, the FTC alleged that a lack of competition would lead to higher grocery prices, reduce food quality and customer service and harm grocery workers who are pushing for better working conditions and wages.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Israel has been waging war in Gaza against the Palestinian militant group for more than a year, during which Netanyahu had been granted a delay for the start of his court appearances.
—Reuters, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wage 
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Noun
Among the positions Tran outlined in his campaign are federal funding for Planned Parenthood; raising wages for teachers and increasing investment in public schools and early childhood education; and expanding Medicare to take on insurance and pharmaceutical companies to cut health care costs.
—The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
In its lawsuit filed in February, the FTC alleged that a lack of competition would lead to higher grocery prices, reduce food quality and customer service and harm grocery workers who are pushing for better working conditions and wages.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
Twenty-five million dollars to wage legal battles against President-elect Donald Trump.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Israel has been waging war in Gaza against the Palestinian militant group for more than a year, during which Netanyahu had been granted a delay for the start of his court appearances.
—Reuters, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wage
Dictionary Entries Near wage
Cite this Entry
“Wage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wage. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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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