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 New York Yankees are looking to shed some payroll after signing Max Fried and trading for Cody Bellinger. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Advertisement Today, manufacturing’s share of all U.S. payrolls is just 8%. —Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024

The big picture: The Guards advanced to the American League Championship Series with a first-year manager, Stephen Vogt, and the smallest payroll of any team in the postseason. —Sam Allard, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024

Stearns has the benefit of an owner, Steve Cohen, who is willing to cut ties with players without worrying about the financial ramifications to the payroll. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing payroll

• payroll deduction
• payroll tax

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