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

The price of having such a talented roster is reflected on the payroll. —Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025

His teams in Milwaukee had gone 707-625 over nine seasons while never ranking in the top half of MLB payrolls. —Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Even with a franchise-best payroll of $187 million entering this year, one that placed 13th of 30 MLB teams, the Diamondbacks fall well short of a Padres payroll that now stands at $213 million and eighth in baseball, per Fangraphs.com. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025

Food, utilities are rising, so providers find creative ways to cut Robertson and Taylor said the cost of food is their second biggest expense outside of payroll. —Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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