payment

noun

pay·​ment ˈpā-mənt 

1

: the act of paying

2

: something that is paid : pay

3

: requital

Synonyms

• compensation
• disbursement
• giving
• paying
• remitment
• remittance
• remuneration

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

Without any changes in interest rates or refinancing, that could ultimately amount to the city paying more than $800 million; those make up the bulk of the agreement, with contingent payments also possible. —Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2025

These texts have been seen to include links to phishing sites that steal personal or payment details. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Virginia Housing provided the first mortgage for the project and payments are about $125,000 a month. —Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025

Recipients can use an SSA calculator to figure out their payment total. —Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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