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

Currently, around 90 percent of transit riders use the OMNY payment system, mostly tapping their phone or credit card or also OMNY card at the turnstile. —Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026

The Bail Project assisted in making a $5,650 payment towards his bail, and he was released in January 2021. —Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026

After the video’s release, Health and Human Services froze all child care payments to the state for review, as the FBI and Department of Homeland Security investigate allegations of fraud. —Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026

If the Fed implemented the law on payments, banks like Arvest would be in financial trouble. —Aaron Klein, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 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