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

Twenty-two wide moats were downgraded, twenty to narrow and two to none, concentrated in enterprise software, IT services and payroll, hitting names like Workday, Adobe, Salesforce and ADP. — Jemma Green, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

While their team has the highest total payroll in MLB this year, the Mets have subjected their loyal supporters to last-place baseball and a losing record on their home field. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

For more than a decade, Los Angeles’ premier sports teams — the Lakers and the Dodgers — have relied on big-ticket TV rights deals to boost their operations and player payrolls. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

One has been the Denver Nuggets potentially tightening payroll, even though their team has to find ways to remain near the top of the brutal Western Conference. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 20 Aug. 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