Per Diem

Business, Legal & Accounting Glossary

Definition: Per Diem


Per Diem


What is the dictionary definition of Per Diem?

Dictionary Definition


adj. or n. Latin for “per day,” it is short for payment of daily expenses and/or fees of an employee or an agent.


Full Definition of Per Diem


A per diem is a daily allowance for expenses.

For instance, many municipalities will pay a meagre per diem to individuals serving jury duty. The per diem is common in business, where the employer picks up expenses of an employee. The per diem is especially common with employees who are travelling on business. For instance, the US federal government sets a standard per diem for all government employees travelling on business. One per diem is given for lodging and another per diem for meals and all other incidental expenses. The per diem varies by location. The US federal government per diem for Manhattan in the first 4 months of 2005 was up to $177 per night for lodging and up to $51 per day for meals and incidental expenses. Many companies set either a small per diem or have none at all, paying most expenses directly by issuing a corporate charge card to the employee instead.


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Definition Sources


Definitions for Per Diem are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:

  • A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management

This glossary post was last updated: 29th April, 2020 | 0 Views.