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
Allen also pointed out that Aug. 1 is the release date for the July nonfarm payrolls report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
—
Jesse Pound, CNBC, 14 July 2025
The grants can be used for operations such as rent and mortgage, payroll, utility payments and supplies and equipment.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
The store could require a $50 million capital expenditure, employ between 175 and 225 full-time staffers, and spend $9 million annually on payroll.
—Idaho Statesman, 11 July 2025
According to the company, their payroll data shows that almost half the Boston regional union members already earn six-figure salaries annually.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for payroll
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.
Jesse Pound, CNBC, 14 July 2025
The grants can be used for operations such as rent and mortgage, payroll, utility payments and supplies and equipment.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
The store could require a $50 million capital expenditure, employ between 175 and 225 full-time staffers, and spend $9 million annually on payroll.
—Idaho Statesman, 11 July 2025
According to the company, their payroll data shows that almost half the Boston regional union members already earn six-figure salaries annually.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for payroll
Cite this Entry
“Payroll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/payroll. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share