payer

noun

pay·​er ˈpā-ər How to pronounce payer (audio)
variants or less commonly payor
ˈpā-ər How to pronounce payer (audio) (ˌ)pā-ˈȯr How to pronounce payer (audio)
: one that pays
especially : the person by whom a bill or note has been or should be paid
He is a prompt bill payer.

Examples of payer in a Sentence

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.
Pediatric services disproportionately care for families on Medicaid, whose reimbursement rates rarely match affluent, private-payer-heavy markets. — Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 If a payer's directory can't make that distinction, the patient sees a recommendation that looks right and isn't, and the health plan loses the ability to guide members to the right care at the right cost. — Morgan Beschle, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Cuts to the former could sink them, while allowing the latter to go on uninhibited could put patients and payers underwater. — Daniel Payne, STAT, 27 Aug. 2026 Wages remain the most accurate indicator of on-field success, and City, routinely England’s highest wage-payers, rank only sixth on net spend. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for payer

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of payer was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing payer

Rhymes for payer

See All Rhymes for payer

Browse Nearby Words

pay envelope
payer
payetan
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Legal Definition

payer

variant of payor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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