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

Labor Department revisions shaved 58,000 jobs from February and March payrolls. —Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025

And private-sector employers added far fewer jobs in April than expected, according to data from payroll processor ADP. —Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 1 May 2025

Earlier Wednesday, payroll processor ADP reported just 62,000 new roles added in April — well below both estimates. —Rob Wile, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2025

Elite Payroll handled payroll functions, employee benefits and tax services for several businesses from Miami-Dade to St. Lucie counties. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025

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