Definitions:

1. A freeze of wages at a given level. NOUN
   • Many companies imposed wage freezes during the economic downturn to avoid layoffs.
2. A policy or agreement that temporarily halts the increase of wages or salaries of employees. NOUN
   • The government imposed a wage freeze for all public sector employees to reduce the budget deficit.
3. A situation where an employer temporarily halts any increases in employees' wages or salaries. NOUN
   • The wage freeze is part of a broader strategy to improve the company's financial health.
4. Means that employees will not receive raises, cost-of-living adjustments, or merit increases during the period of the wage freeze. NOUN
   • The union agreed to a temporary wage freeze in exchange for job security guarantees.
5. Situation typically implemented during times of economic difficulty or financial uncertainty within a company or organization. NOUN
   • The company announced a wage freeze due to declining revenues.

Synonyms:

• pay freeze
• pay rate freeze
• salary freeze
• wage moratorium