payroll

noun

pay·​roll ˈpā-ˌrōl 

1

: a paymaster's or employer's list of those entitled to pay and of the amounts due to each

2

: the sum necessary for distribution to those on a payroll

also : the money to be distributed

Examples of payroll in a Sentence

They cut him from their payroll.

He's the manager of a baseball team with a $50 million payroll.

Businesses are keeping their payrolls low by embracing new technologies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Hamilton has worked for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office since at least 2014, according to state payroll records. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026

Even before Lionel Messi signed a new three-year contract last October, his salary exceeded the payroll of more than two-thirds of the teams in Major League Soccer. —Miami Herald, 12 May 2026

At the same time, the labor market has benefited from a low-hire, low-fire environment that has kept unemployment in check even as payrolls growth has been inconsistent. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 12 May 2026

Segura was paid about $222,000 in 2025, according to public payroll data. —Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing payroll

• payroll deduction
• payroll tax

Rhymes for payroll

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol

Kids Definition

payroll

noun

pay·​roll ˈpā-ˌrōl 

1

: a list of persons entitled to receive pay with the amounts due to each

2

: the amount of money necessary to pay those on a payroll