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

As revenues grow, player payroll will do so at the same rate, something that hasn’t happened over the last five years under the existing CBA. — Jim Bowden, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

For 2026, employers can contribute up to $2,500 per employee, which doesn't count as income for the worker, but is still subject to payroll taxes. — Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,jessica Dickler, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Despite an opening-day payroll of more than $350 million, the Mets endured a 12-game losing streak in April and have spent most of the season in the NL East basement. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Employers also expressed uncertainty about whether the statement was enough to legally keep Salvadoran employees on their payroll. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 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