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

Yet the clubs from small markets with relatively low payrolls found ways to play the best baseball in each of their respective leagues this season en route to the World Series. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026

Target is adding millions in payroll, training and technology, and staffing up to ensure shoppers have a friendly, experienced team member to help them at their local store. — Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

While the highest payrolls have increased substantially over the last decade, the lowest payrolls have remained nearly flat. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

School districts will want to fold it into their own payroll systems. — Cory Turner, NPR, 20 Oct. 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