: 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.
Following a slow day of transactions and inactivity on Saturday, Zoll’s group experienced sticker shock on Sunday as sellers across the league sought high paydays for their relievers. Dan Hayes, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 At 24 years old, most NFL wideouts are chasing their first major payday. Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 With advanced knowledge, traders betting on a plunge in the Canadian dollar, a drop in nuclear energy stocks or a jump in oil futures could have raked in big paydays. Bernard Condon, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026 Williams has kept an eye on the defensive tackle market, especially after Carter’s big payday. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 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

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Cite this Entry

“Payday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/payday. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

: a regular day on which wages are paid
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