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

The Royals had an adjusted payroll around $150 million this season, per Spotrac. — Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026

Interestingly, the Mets missing the postseason for two consecutive seasons despite a top-2 payroll never seems to come up. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

The company recently launched its SmartStart digital onboarding and SmartTime timecard solution in the country, adding to its existing UK production finance, payroll and production management technology capabilities. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

The Controller’s Office manages public money, audits agencies and runs the payroll system for state workers. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026

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