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

Businesses Already Depend on Multiple Financial Systems A company may accept customer payments through one provider, maintain accounts with a bank, use another service for payroll and rely on separate software for invoices and accounting. — Karen Koehler, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026

Macy served with the office from 2006 through 2020 as an administrative clerk, according to public payroll records, but prosecutors said her relationship with the agency continued long after her employment ended. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026

This makes Kansas one of the few states that bases the requirement on payroll dollars rather than employee count. — Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026

The Heat currently are projected with about a $200 million payroll for 2027-28, a figure that does not include a salary for Davion Mitchell, who is scheduled to become a free agent next summer. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 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