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

With this upcoming payroll in limbo, the question of whether the hospital can make future payrolls comes into play. — Jermont Terry, CBS News, 24 June 2026

Prior to Blankenship, former county payroll administrator Laura Baxter testified to confirm what Gillespie said during his testimony. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026

The analysis examined payroll data from more than 400,000 workers ages 20 to 29 between January 2025 and January 2026. — Sofia Baltodano june 24, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026

Paychex reports before the bell on 'Squawk Box' The payroll services stock is up almost 5% in three months. — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 23 June 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