–verb (used with object)

1.	to settle (a debt, obligation, etc.), as by transferring money or goods, or by doing something: Please pay your bill.

2.	to give over (a certain amount of money) in exchange for something: He paid twenty dollars for the shirt.

3.	to transfer money as compensation or recompense for work done or services rendered; to satisfy the claims of (a person, organization, etc.), as by giving money due: He paid me for my work.

4.	to defray (cost or expense).

5.	to give compensation for.

6.	to yield a recompense or return to; be profitable to: Your training will pay you well in the future.

7.	to yield as a return: The stock paid six percent last year.

8.	to requite, as for good, harm, or an offense: How can I pay her for her kindness and generosity?

9.	to give or render (attention, respects, compliments, etc.), as if due or fitting.

10.	to make (a call, visit, etc.).

11.	to suffer in retribution; undergo: You'll pay the penalty for your stubbornness!

12.	Nautical. to let (a ship) fall off to leeward.

–verb (used without object) 1d00

13.	to transfer money, goods, etc., as in making a purchase or settling a debt.

14.	to discharge a debt or obligation.

15.	to yield a return, profit, or advantage; be worthwhile: It pays to be courteous.

16.	to give compensation, as for damage or loss sustained.

17.	to suffer or be punished for something: The murderer paid with his life.

–noun

18.	the act of paying or being paid; payment.

19.	wages, salary, or a stipend.

20.	a person with reference to solvency or reputation for meeting obligations: The bank regards him as good pay.

21.	paid employment: in the pay of the enemy.

22.	reward or punishment; requital.

23.	a rock stratum from which petroleum is obtained.

–adjective

24.	requiring subscribed or monthly payment for use or service: pay television.

25.	operable or accessible on deposit of a coin or coins: a pay toilet.

26.	of or pertaining to payment.

—Verb phrases

27.	pay down, a. to pay (part of the total price) at the time of purchase, with the promise to pay the balance in installments: On this plan you pay only ten percent down. b. to pay off or back; amortize: The company's debt is being paid down rapidly.

28.	pay for, to suffer or be punished for: to pay for one's sins.

29.	pay off, a. to pay (someone) everything that is due that person, esp. to do so and discharge from one's employ. b. to pay (a debt) in full. c. Informal. to bribe. d. to retaliate upon or punish. e. Nautical. to fall off to leeward. f. to result in success or failure: The risk paid off handsomely.

30.	pay out, a. to distribute (money, wages, etc.); disburse. b. to get revenge upon for an injury; punish. c. to let out (a rope) by slackening.

31.	pay up, a. to pay fully. b. to pay on demand: The gangsters used threats of violence to force the shopkeepers to pay up.

—Idioms

32.	pay as you go, a. to pay for (goods, services, etc.) at the time of purchase, as opposed to buying on credit. b. to spend no more than income permits; keep out of debt. c. to pay income tax by regular deductions from one's salary or wages.

33.	pay back, a. to repay or return: to pay back a loan. b. to retaliate against or punish: She paid us back by refusing the invitation. c. to requite.

34.	pay one's or its way, a. to pay one's portion of shared expenses. b. to yield a return on one's investment sufficient to repay one's expenses: It will take time for the restaurant to begin paying its way.

–noun

1.	the interval of light between two successive nights; the time between sunrise and sunset: Since there was no artificial illumination, all activities had to be carried on during the day.

2.	the light of day; daylight: The owl sleeps by day and feeds by night.

3.	Astronomy. a. Also called mean solar day. a division of time equal to 24 hours and representing the average length of the period during which the earth makes one rotation on its axis. b. Also called solar day. a division of time equal to the time elapsed between two consecutive returns of the same terrestrial meridian to the sun. < 105e table class="luna-Ent">
c.	Also called civil day. a division of time equal to 24 hours but reckoned from one midnight to the next. Compare lunar day, sidereal day.