payday

noun

pay·​day ˈpā-ˌdā How to pronounce payday (audio)
: a regular day on which wages are paid

Examples of payday in a Sentence

Is this Friday a payday?
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Brokers are always recruiting new agents — not just seasoned veterans snatched from other firms in search of larger splits or better support, but also rookies lured in by the prospect of big paydays. — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 The assumption is that players battling for a spot on an NFL roster, even a team's practice squad roster, could return to college football with the motivation of earning a substantial payday. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Hernandez wants to earn more paydays from his craft of fighting, and then return to a simple life in rural Yolo County. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Negotiations with ServiceNow began even though some of Armis’ earliest employees had been implicitly promised an IPO payday. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for payday

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of payday was in 1529

Phrases Containing payday

Rhymes for payday

See All Rhymes for payday

Browse Nearby Words

pay court to
payday
payday lender
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Payday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/payday. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

payday

noun
pay·​day ˈpā-ˌdā How to pronounce payday (audio)
: a regular day on which wages are paid
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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