Wage Meaning
Wage Definition & Usage
A fixed regular payment earned for work or services, typically paid on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Examples
- "She received her wage every Friday without fail."
- "The minimum wage has been raised in many states this year."
- "His wage was sufficient to cover his living expenses."
- "The workers protested because they were not paid a fair wage."
- "Many employees are demanding a higher wage due to inflation."
To engage in or carry out a particular activity, especially one involving conflict or struggle, such as war, battle, or a campaign.
Examples
- "The company waged a campaign to raise awareness of their new product."
- "The nations waged war over disputed territory."
- "She waged a relentless fight for women's rights in her community."
- "The government waged a successful battle against corruption."
- "The union waged a strike to demand better working conditions."
Cultural Context
The term 'wage' has its roots in the Old French word 'gage', meaning a pledge or guarantee. Over time, it came to represent the agreed-upon compensation for labor. In modern usage, wages are central to discussions of employment, labor rights, and economic policies.
The Struggle for Fair Wages
Story
The Struggle for Fair Wages
In the small town of Brooksville, workers at the local textile factory were fed up. For years, their wages had remained stagnant, despite the rising cost of living. Sarah, a young and determined union leader, had seen firsthand the struggles of her colleagues. The factory owners paid them just enough to get by, but no more. Sarah had had enough. It was time to wage a battle. The union members had long discussed the idea of striking, but the fear of losing their jobs kept them from acting. Sarah, however, was unafraid. 'We cannot keep going like this,' she said in one of the meetings. 'We deserve a fair wage for the work we do.' Her words sparked something in the workers. They were tired of scraping by. Together, they waged a strike, holding picket signs outside the factory gates. The local community rallied around them, with shops offering support and solidarity. The workers' message was clear: they would not return to work until the owners agreed to raise their wages. Negotiations were tense, but after weeks of protest, the owners finally relented. They agreed to raise the workers' wages and improve their benefits. The strike was a success, and Sarah had led them to victory. Months later, Sarah stood in front of the same group of workers, now with smiles on their faces. 'We waged a battle,' she said, 'and won not just for ourselves, but for every worker in this town.' The success of the strike sparked a wider movement for fair wages in nearby factories. Other towns followed Brooksville's example, demanding better pay and better working conditions. Sarah had started a revolution of sorts, and the impact of her fight for fair wages could be felt far beyond the walls of the factory.