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

For example, if your scheduling software doesn’t integrate with your payroll or time-tracking system, then problems could arise. — Karl Mawhinney, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

In addition, the bank handles $450 trillion in payments for corporate customers, including payrolls, corporate credit cards and supplier payments. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026

His Department of Government Efficiency slashed government payrolls, destroyed USAID, and has made a mockery of public health. — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Those who thought the Los Angeles Dodgers and their massive payroll were going to waltz into Milwaukee and run over the Brewers were wrong. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing payroll

• payroll deduction
• payroll tax

Rhymes for payroll

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol

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