subminimum

adjective

sub·​min·​i·​mum ˌsəb-ˈmi-nə-məm How to pronounce subminimum (audio)
variants or sub-minimum
: having or providing less than a specified minimum
The ore shipment was rejected for subminimum uranium content …—The New York Times
… like most of the other early minimum wage laws, the Massachusetts law allowed for subminimum wages [=wages below a legally fixed minimum wage] for learners and children …—Clifford F. Thies

Examples of subminimum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Toia decried Johnson’s veto and argued the fight against ending the subminimum wage was one to defend neighborhood restaurants. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 One Fair Wage, an advocacy group pushing for higher base pay and an end to subminimum rates nationwide, says that means the earlier law was in force for half a day and employers should pay up. — Maya Huter, NBC News, 1 Mar. 2025 Over time, that effort evolved into One Fair Wage, a national organization run by Jayaraman that advocates for the elimination of a subminimum wage. — thehustle.co, 19 July 2024 Labor and employment Senate Bill 55 eliminates subminimum wages for workers with disabilities, changing how some employees are paid in Georgia. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for subminimum

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subminimum was in 1817

Rhymes for subminimum

See All Rhymes for subminimum

Browse Nearby Words

subminimal
subminimum
subminister
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Cite this Entry

“Subminimum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subminimum. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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