What term is defined as being paid to perform work?

The term that being paid to perform work refers to is "employment." Employment encompasses a broad range of work arrangements where individuals enter into a contractual agreement with an employer in exchange for compensation, typically in the form of a salary or hourly wage.

This arrangement implies a mutual understanding where the employee provides their labor and skills in return for financial remuneration. Employment can take many forms, including full-time or part-time positions, and can be found in various sectors across the economy.

While wage labor is also related to being paid for work, it is more specific to situations where workers are paid hourly or per task and does not encompass the broader concept of employment itself, which includes salaried positions and various types of contracts. Volunteering involves performing work without payment and is motivated by altruism rather than a financial return. An internship may involve compensation or be unpaid, but it typically focuses on gaining experience rather than being defined as a paid work arrangement. Thus, employment is the most accurate term that captures the definition of being paid to perform work.