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

There doesn’t seem to be any sort of mandate requiring Stearns to cut payroll or at least cut back. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 10 Nov. 2026

Private screening would not guarantee shutdown protection Airport officials said private screening employees continued receiving pay during the federal shutdown because their employers covered payroll. — CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

Unlike Hoyer, Getz operates a small-market payroll in a big market, and can’t be expected to change Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf’s spending habits at this stage. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

Eight wage claims alleged unpaid wages, delayed tips, bounced checks and struggles with accessing payroll records, the outlet reported. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 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