payment

noun

pay·​ment ˈpā-mənt 

1

: the act of paying

2

: something that is paid : pay

3

: requital

Synonyms of payment

• paying

Examples of payment in a Sentence

Payment is due on the first of every month.

Prompt payment of your bill ensures that you will not have to pay any additional fees.

We require payment in advance for all goods purchased.

a payment plan to reduce your debt

cash, credit cards, and other methods of payment

Our records show that we received a payment of $215.36 in May.

Buy this product for three easy payments of only $19.95!

It took me five years to pay off the car, but I never missed a payment.

making payments on a loan

The credit card company just increased the penalty on late payments.

Recent Examples on the Web

Matic estimates that insurance now accounts for 9% of the typical homeowner’s monthly mortgage payment -- the highest share ever recorded. —Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026

Indian officials cite the country’s digital ID and online payments systems as a model for deploying AI at low cost, particularly in developing countries. —ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026

To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it. —Jennifer Sangalang, Florida Times-Union, 19 Feb. 2026

Credit card rates are also sitting near record highs on average, and as a result, millions of borrowers are struggling to keep up with their monthly card payments. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing payment

• balloon payment
• co-payment
• down payment
• in payment
• on payment of
• stop payment
• transfer payment

Rhymes for payment

• claimant
• copayment
• embayment
• nonpayment
• prepayment
• repayment
• overpayment
• underpayment

Kids Definition

payment

noun

pay·​ment ˈpā-mənt 

1

: the act of paying

2

: money given to pay a debt

3

: pay entry 2 sense 2