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 unemployment rate, though on a gradual upswing, is still at 4.1% , low by historical standards, with nonfarm payrolls rising by more than 1.3 million in 2024 alone. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 22 July 2024

With a single trade, the Heat’s payroll and position against the luxury-tax aprons could change dramatically at any point. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2024

The private equity billionaire has not committed to increasing payroll in any of the several instances he’s been asked. —Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2024

The Earthquakes have neither posted a winning record nor hosted a playoff game since then, and their payroll generally ranks in the bottom half of the league. —Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing payroll

• payroll deduction
• payroll tax

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