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payroll
/ˈpeɪroʊl/
list of employees and their salaries
The company's payroll includes over 500 employees.
The company employs more than 500 people, who are listed in the payroll.
Business
technical
A list of a company's employees and the amount of money they are to be paid.
Processing payroll takes two days every month.
It takes two days each month to calculate and distribute salaries.
The HR department manages payroll and benefits.
Human Resources is responsible for handling employee payments and benefits.
Payroll can also refer to the total amount of money paid to employees by a company.
Finance
technical
The process of calculating and distributing wages to employees.
Outsourcing payroll can save time and reduce errors.
Hiring an external service to handle wage calculations can improve efficiency.
Often involves tax deductions, benefits, and compliance with labor laws.
Collocations
payroll systemsoftware for managing salariespayroll taxtax deducted from employee wagesgross payrolltotal wages before deductionsnet payrolltotal wages after deductions
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish 'payroll' from 'salary'
'Payroll' refers to the entire list of employees and their payments, while 'salary' refers to an individual's fixed payment.
Gold Rule
Payroll includes all employees
Even part-time or temporary workers are typically included in a company's payroll.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'payroll' (14th century), originally referring to a roll of paper listing workers and their pay. Combines 'pay' (from Old French 'paier') and 'roll' (from Old French 'rolle', meaning a list).
Usage Notes
Payroll is commonly used in business contexts to refer to both the list of employees and the process of paying them. It is not typically used to describe individual payments.
Word Breakdown
pay
money given for work done
rootroll
a list or register
rootEnglish Dictionary