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

Nothing stops someone in a hurry from pasting a payroll appendix into a public chatbot for a summary. — Ethan Pham, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Price cuts and higher costs related to transportation and goods will squeeze margins, but that will be offset by tariff refunds and retailers using AI and other methods to cut SG&A, logistics and payroll costs. — David Moin, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

But in addition to a sky-high payroll, the Dodgers are known for their player development. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

McCullough has guided the Marlins to records of 79-83 last season, and 80-82 this season, despite the team’s payroll limitations. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 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