paywall

noun

pay·​wall ˈpā-ˌwȯl How to pronounce paywall (audio)
: a system that prevents Internet users from accessing certain web content without a paid subscription

Examples of paywall 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.
The apocalypse is arriving right on schedule, beginning in the corner of the economy that sells answers from behind a paywall that fewer clients are willing to jump over. — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Mysa’s pitch — Canadian ownership, no data sales, no subscription paywalls — is unusual today but unlikely to stay that way. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026 Open-access publishing helps physicians, patients, policymakers, companies, teachers and researchers read study findings without a paywall. — Aliasger K. Salem, The Conversation, 23 July 2026 That doesn’t include social media impressions and other shoulder programming that FloSports produces, some of which lives outside the paywall. — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for paywall

Word History

Etymology

pay entry 1 + firewall

First Known Use

2004, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paywall was in 2004

Rhymes for paywall

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Browse Nearby Words

pay up
paywall
pay with one's life
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paywall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paywall. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

paywall

noun
pay·​wall ˈpā-ˌwȯl How to pronounce paywall (audio)
: a system that prevents Internet users from accessing certain Web content without a paid subscription
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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