payroll

noun

pay·​roll ˈpā-ˌrōl How to pronounce payroll (audio)
Synonyms of payrollnext
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
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.
The rest of this tier is made of three fairly small-market teams that have consistently won beyond their modest payrolls. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 1 July 2026 Seeking to close a $12 billion budget shortfall last year, the governor hoped to cut over $750 million from the state’s payroll expenses in salaries and wages. — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 Lower participation means fewer people paying payroll and income taxes, and more people relying on income support programs that the government would have to pay out. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 2 July 2026 According to Spotrac, the New York Mets’ player payroll this year is $328 million, while the Cleveland Guardians’ is $80 million. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for payroll

Word History

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of payroll was in 1740

Phrases Containing payroll

Rhymes for payroll

See All Rhymes for payroll

Browse Nearby Words

pay rate
payroll
payroll deduction
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Payroll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/payroll. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

payroll

noun
pay·​roll ˈpā-ˌrōl How to pronounce payroll (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on payroll

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for payroll

Nglish: Translation of payroll for Spanish Speakers

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