pay Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun something that remunerates
wage; earnings; salary; remuneration.
- wages were paid by check
- he wasted his pay on drink
- they saved a quarter of all their earnings
verb give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
- I paid four dollars for this sandwich
- Pay the waitress, please
verb convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow
give.
- Don't pay him any mind
- give the orders
- Give him my best regards
- pay attention
verb cancel or discharge a debt
ante up; pay up.
- pay up, please!
verb bring in
bear; yield.
- interest-bearing accounts
- How much does this savings certificate pay annually?
verb do or give something to somebody in return
compensate; make up; pay off.
- Does she pay you for the work you are doing?
verb dedicate
devote; give.
- give thought to
- give priority to
- pay attention to
verb be worth it
- It pays to go through the trouble
verb render
- pay a visit
- pay a call
verb bear (a cost or penalty), in recompense for some action
- You'll pay for this!
- She had to pay the penalty for speaking out rashly
- You'll pay for this opinion later
verb make a compensation for
- a favor that cannot be paid back
verb discharge or settle
- pay a debt
- pay an obligation

OF. peier, fr. L. picare to pitch, i pitch: cf. OF. peiz pitch, F. poix. See Pitch a black substance.

(Naut.) To cover, as bottom of a vessel, a seam, a spar, etc., with tar or pitch, or waterproof composition of tallow, resin, etc.; to smear.

OE. paien, F. payer, fr. L. pacare to pacify, appease, fr. pax, pacis, peace. See Peace.

imperfect & past participle Paid ; present participle & verbal noun Paying

To satisfy, or content; specifically, to satisfy (another person) for service rendered, property delivered, etc.; to discharge one's obligation to; to make due return to; to compensate; to remunerate; to recompense; to requite; as, to pay workmen or servants.
May no penny ale them pay [i. e., satisfy]. P. Plowman.

[She] pays me with disdain. Dryden.
Hence, figuratively: To compensate justly; to requite according to merit; to reward; to punish; to retort or retaliate upon.
For which, or pay me quickly, or I'll pay you. B. Jonson.
To discharge, as a debt, demand, or obligation, by giving or doing what is due or required; to deliver the amount or value of to the person to whom it is owing; to discharge a debt by delivering (money owed). "Pay me that thou owest." Matt. xviii. 28.
Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Matt. xviii. 26.

If they pay this tax, they starve. Tennyson.
To discharge or fulfill, as a duy; to perform or render duty, as that which has been promised.
This day have I paid my vows. Prov. vii. 14.
To give or offer, without an implied obligation; as, to pay attention; to pay a visit.
Not paying me a welcome. Shak.

To give a recompense; to make payment, requital, or satisfaction; to discharge a debt.
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again. Ps. xxxvii. 21.
Hence, to make or secure suitable return for expense or trouble; to be remunerative or profitable; to be worth the effort or pains required; as, it will pay to ride; it will pay to wait; politeness always pays.

Satisfaction; content. Chaucer.
An equivalent or return for money due, goods purchased, or services performed; salary or wages for work or service; compensation; recompense; payment; hire; as, the pay of a clerk; the pay of a soldier.
Where only merit constant pay receives. Pope.

There is neither pay nor plunder to be got. L'Estrange.
(b) the total sum of money which is paid to all employees on payday