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

Cuba is currently facing a banking crisis that delays pension payments to retirees and limits cash withdrawals for the general population. —Sarah Moreno june 4, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026

That's where a lump sum back payment can cause issues. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 4 June 2026

This consolidates debt into one manageable monthly payment. —Ali Besharat, The Conversation, 4 June 2026

Inflation remains among the lowest in Latin America, debt is under control, interest payments are manageable, and the national credit is good, making for the kinds of indicators that Peru’s neighbors can only dream of. —Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 4 June 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