payroll

noun

pay·​roll ˈpā-ˌrōl How to pronounce payroll (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The household survey data was solid, with a gain of 93,000 jobs, and the research series, which mirrors the payroll report criteria, rose by 751,000. Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025 Wall Street analysts underestimated June’s U.S. jobs report, expecting weak growth due to negative private payroll data and President Trump’s angry social media posts. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 4 July 2025 Labor Department revisions added 16,000 jobs to April and June payrolls. Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025 For example, private payrolls processor ADP reported a net decline in jobs added amid a hesitancy for companies to replace departing workers, ADP's chief economist said. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for payroll

Word History

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of payroll was in 1740

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Cite this Entry

“Payroll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/payroll. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

payroll

noun
pay·​roll ˈpā-ˌrōl How to pronounce payroll (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on payroll

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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