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

Markets now will turn their attention to Friday’s nonfarm payrolls report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 6 May 2026

Software and computer systems design payrolls have been grinding lower recently, as have those of computer and electronics manufacturers. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 May 2026

Not only that, but Larnach’s salary would account for a little more than 4 percent of the Twins’ entire $101 million payroll. —Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 May 2026

Eaton, the third manager, has been on the payroll since 1995. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 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