payment

noun

pay·​ment ˈpā-mənt 

1

: the act of paying

2

: something that is paid : pay

3

: requital

Synonyms

• 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

Act 272 of 1985 established that the first 12.5% of the gas that came off of the well was eligible for royalty payments. —Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2025

On average, users are able to reduce their student loan payments by nearly $200 per month. —Yola Robert, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

The winner, who was later identified as Kristen Moriarty, will receive a one-time payment of $45,889,188.92 before taxes, according to the Texas Lottery Commission. —David Chiu, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Student loan payments increasing Millions of student loan borrowers who were enrolled in a Biden-era repayment plan will soon see their monthly payments increase. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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