Payment

/ˈpeɪmənt/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The act of giving money or goods to someone or something for something that has been done or received.

/ˈpeɪmənt/

nounneutralBeginner
Action

The act of paying money or the money paid.

The payment was made on time.

💡 Simply: It's like when you give money for something you bought, like paying for your ice cream at the store. You made a payment!

👶 For kids: Giving someone money for something.

More Examples

2

We require payment within 30 days.

3

The payment covered the cost of the repairs.

How It's Used

Finance

"The company processed the payment for the invoice."

Retail

"We accept payment by credit card, debit card, and cash."

Law

"The court ordered a payment of damages to the plaintiff."

2

The money given or received.

/ˈpeɪmənt/

nounneutralBeginner
Quantity

Money paid.

We received the final payment.

💡 Simply: It's the actual money you hand over, like the bills you give when you pay for your candy.

👶 For kids: The money that is given.

More Examples

2

The payment was made by check.

3

The payment amount was $100.

How It's Used

Business

"The company received the payment for the goods."

Real Estate

"The mortgage payment is due on the first of each month."

Tip:The *amount* of 'pay' given.

Idioms & expressions

in payment of

As a way of paying for something.

"He sent a check in payment of his debt."

make a payment

To give money to someone for something.

"I need to make a payment on my car loan."

From Middle English paiement, payement, from Old French paiement (payment, reward), from payer (to pay), from Latin pacare (to appease, pacify, pay).

The word 'payment' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to a settlement or satisfaction, often in the context of debts or obligations.

Memory tip

Think of it as the 'pay' meant to satisfy a debt or obligation.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to appease, pacify, pay (pacare)"

make a paymentreceive paymentpayment duepayment methodpayment plan

Common misspellings

payementpaymant

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written