paywall

noun

pay·​wall ˈpā-ˌwȯl How to pronounce paywall (audio)
: a system that prevents Internet users from accessing certain web content without a paid subscription

Examples of paywall in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The other popular suggestion is the BBC should move behind a paywall, like Netflix, Sky, The Athletic and so on. Matt Slater, New York Times, 12 June 2026 Today, those same collective rights deals are increasingly being sliced up for streaming platforms, sparking backlash from fans frustrated by paywalls and platform hopping. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026 There are no subscriptions, no trial periods, and no paywalls between a scan and a deliverable. New Atlas, 8 June 2026 The premium-quality thesis—that Hollywood-grade production can defend a paywall against cheaper imports—depends on viewers continuing to pay for live-action quality at scale. Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for paywall

Word History

Etymology

pay entry 1 + firewall

First Known Use

2004, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paywall was in 2004

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paywall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paywall. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

paywall

noun
pay·​wall ˈpā-ˌwȯl How to pronounce paywall (audio)
: a system that prevents Internet users from accessing certain Web content without a paid subscription
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