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
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Dodgers' 2025 payroll for luxury tax purposes is up to $375 million — $70 million more than the number-2 Philadelphia Phillies.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
Similar payroll issues have been reported at the St. Louis location of Jingle.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2025
Club officials have said the Padres do not need to shed payroll to make additions, but the team has entertained trade interest in multiple key members of the roster.
—Dennis Lin, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Heyman writes that all but six of the 30 teams have cut payroll, with the average reduction reaching $35 million.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for payroll 
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David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
Similar payroll issues have been reported at the St. Louis location of Jingle.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2025
Club officials have said the Padres do not need to shed payroll to make additions, but the team has entertained trade interest in multiple key members of the roster.
—Dennis Lin, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Heyman writes that all but six of the 30 teams have cut payroll, with the average reduction reaching $35 million.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for payroll
Dictionary Entries Near payroll
Cite this Entry
“Payroll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/payroll. Accessed 23 Jan. 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
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