wage

WAYJ/weɪd͡ʒ/

Pluralwages

Verbwages, waging, waged

7 meanings of wage

1
nouncountable
Money paid to a worker for the work they do, often counted by the hour.
Like getting a few dollars for every hour you spend doing a job.
The factory pays a fair wage to everyone on the line.
Her weekly wages barely covered the rent.
Similarpay, salary, earnings, income, remuneration
Note
2
verbtransitive
To carry on a war or other long struggle.
Like keeping up a long fight until it is finally over.
The two nations waged war for nearly a decade.
They wage a constant battle against pollution.
Similarconduct, fight, pursue, mount, prosecute
Note
3
verbtransitive
To put something out for hire in exchange for payment.
Like renting out your bike to someone for money.
Farmers would wage their horses to travelers for a few coins.
He waged his cart to the market traders each morning.
Similarrent, lease, hire, let

Practice

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Origins

Meaning 1

It came through Old French and Latin from a Frankish word meaning "pledge," from an old Germanic root.

Meanings 2–7

It came from Middle English wagen, meaning "to pledge," through Old French, and is linked to a Frankish word for "pledge."