paywall

noun

pay·​wall ˈpā-ˌwȯl 

: 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

After scuttling its costly standalone streaming product CNN+, the network last year introduced a paywall for much of its reporting. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026

There are more than 300 such foundations across the country, holding over $40 billion in assets, according to Grantmakers In Health (paywall). — Laura MacDonald, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Mysa’s pitch — Canadian ownership, no data sales, no subscription paywalls — is unusual today but unlikely to stay that way. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026

Open-access publishing helps physicians, patients, policymakers, companies, teachers and researchers read study findings without a paywall. — Aliasger K. Salem, The Conversation, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

pay entry 1 + firewall

First Known Use

2004, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paywall

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

Kids Definition

paywall

noun

pay·​wall ˈpā-ˌwȯl 

: a system that prevents Internet users from accessing certain Web content without a paid subscription