English · Word Candidate

payroll

/ˈpeɪˌɹəʊl/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: payrolls · payrolling · payrolled

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A list of employees who receive salary or wages, together with the amounts due to each.

Noun

Magazines kept aristocrats on the payroll to facilitate access to jet-set playgrounds like Corfu and Mustique.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

The total sum of money paid to employees.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To place on a payroll (noun sense 1).

Verb

Grantees may elect to payroll the enrollees through their own payroll system if the payroll system is consistent with regulations contained herein.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “payroll” mean?

A list of employees who receive salary or wages, together with the amounts due to each.

Is “payroll” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.