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

Under the bill, employers can keep people on the payroll who intend to apply for H-2A status, and they will be shielded from some penalties for unlawfully hiring people. — Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026

More jobs, higher wages, and a stronger workforce mean more payroll taxes flowing into the system. — Joseph "joe" Kaufman, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

The reason franchise values increase under a cap system is the certainty of player payrolls within the cap. — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

The Fort Worth-Arlington area economy expanded in May, with payroll employment and hourly wages increasing, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 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