payment

noun

pay·​ment ˈpā-mənt 

1

: the act of paying

2

: something that is paid : pay

3

: requital

Synonyms of payment

• paying

Examples of payment in a Sentence

Payment is due on the first of every month.

Prompt payment of your bill ensures that you will not have to pay any additional fees.

We require payment in advance for all goods purchased.

a payment plan to reduce your debt

cash, credit cards, and other methods of payment

Our records show that we received a payment of $215.36 in May.

Buy this product for three easy payments of only $19.95!

It took me five years to pay off the car, but I never missed a payment.

making payments on a loan

The credit card company just increased the penalty on late payments.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to DePaul’s tax filings, Lenti Ponsetto received a severance payment of $793,262 in the fiscal year 2022. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026

At least two San Francisco home listings seen by CNN this spring said the sellers would consider accepting shares of OpenAI or Anthropic as payment. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Low supply amounts to higher home prices (and down payment requirements), while higher interest rates raise borrowing costs (and monthly payments). — Zev Fima, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026

The September Supplemental Security Income payments, worth up to $994, will be sent to recipients in 16 days. — Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing payment

• balloon payment
• co-payment
• down payment
• in payment
• on payment of
• stop payment
• transfer payment

Rhymes for payment

• claimant
• copayment
• embayment
• nonpayment
• prepayment
• repayment
• overpayment
• underpayment

Kids Definition

payment

noun

pay·​ment ˈpā-mənt 

1

: the act of paying

2

: money given to pay a debt

3

: pay entry 2 sense 2