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

In his forecast, Pakko said Arkansas' payroll employment will see less than 1% growth. —Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2025

That figure, which is provided by payrolls processing company ADP, beat the Dow Jones consensus estimate for an increase of 22,000. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025

The Mets struggled down the stretch and missed the postseason completely despite having one of the highest payrolls in the league. —Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025

Westfield firefighters again highlight payroll issues. —Evan Frank, IndyStar, 6 Nov. 2025

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