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

Denver traded Hunter Tyson the next day to maneuver its payroll under the luxury tax and open up a second roster spot. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026

Last week’s nonfarm payroll report for January came in hotter than economists predicted, offering hope of stabilization in the job market. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026

Investigators say a board member told them Hernandez used to be employed by the former property management company as the building's general maintenance employee, but then was placed on the building's direct payroll in 2024 when Obismo took over. —Anna McAllister, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026

Last year, the 49ers ushered out a swath of veterans, mostly on defense, to recalibrate their roster and payroll. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 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