noun
1. : a wage scale geared to the selling price of the product or to the cost-of-living index but usually assuring the worker a minimum rate
2.
a. : a system for raising or lowering tariffs in proportion to the fall or rise of prices
b. : a flexible scale (as of fees or subsidies) adjusted to the needs or income of the individual
the sliding scale of medical fees making it … possible to balance the losses with large fees from wealthy patients — Milton Terris
advocate of a sliding scale for farm support prices — Newsweek