: of or relating to a system or policy of paying bills when due or of paying for goods and services when purchased

Examples of pay-as-you-go in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tapedeck is a pay-as-you-go music download and streaming service. Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 June 2026 The event is free with pay-as-you-go options for food and beverages, rides, bounce houses and vendor booths. John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 The afternoon will include music, vendors and a pay-as-you-go crawfish station ($20 per serving). Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026 Social Security operates primarily as a pay-as-you-go program. Martha Shedden, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pay-as-you-go

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pay-as-you-go was in 1840

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pay-as-you-go.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pay-as-you-go. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster