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Definition of "pay" []

  • To give money to in return for goods or services rendered: pay the cashier. (verb-transitive)
  • To give (money) in exchange for goods or services: paid four dollars for a hamburger; paid an hourly wage. (verb-transitive)
  • To discharge or settle (a debt or obligation): paying taxes; paid the bill. (verb-transitive)
  • To give recompense for; requite: a kindness that cannot be paid back. (verb-transitive)
  • To give recompense to; reward or punish: I'll pay him back for his insults. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "pay" in a sentence
  • "What pay, _pay_, mind you, did he ever get for taking care of _you_?"
  • ""It was Dr. O'Grady that promised for us and before I pay a penny for a man that owes me more this minute than he can pay——""
  • "NiceGirl: Do the cam sites et al. pay for conversions (traffic that generates revenue) or for raw traffic (hits)? artwilliams: So even though they are looking for * free* porn, they are expected to * pay* for cam and dating sites, and toys?"