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

There are no restrictions on how funds must be used, but recipients are encouraged to allocate them toward rent, inventory, payroll or community-building efforts. —Alejandra Rojas, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

Had the Padres committed to pay King the full $7.75 million this season, FanGraphs would have estimated their payroll at $211 million instead of the current $207 million projection. —Dennis Lin, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025

With depleted draft capital and the league’s fourth-highest payroll, the stakes are higher than ever. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2025

It was projected to collect nearly $400 million in user fees from the medical device makers last year, most of which goes to payroll and operating expenses for employees at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. —Michael Erman, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025

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