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

Abbott, a three-term incumbent, was also called out for being on Musk’s payroll. — Shelly Banjo, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Employers may need to review job postings, employee handbooks, payroll procedures, contracts, and other documents as the new rules take effect. — Steven M. Frederick, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026

Marks pointed to payroll data from major human resources companies showing average wage growth for many workers remains below the inflation rate. — CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

The most important economic release of the week is Friday's nonfarm payrolls report. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 3 Nov. 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