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Definition of paymaster

paymaster

/ˈpeɪˌmæstər/
pay · mas · ter
Plural:paymasters
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paymaster Lexical Profile

paymaster Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An official or officer responsible for paying wages or salaries in an organization, government department, or military unit.

Example

"The company's paymaster ensured that all employees received their monthly salaries on time."

2

A person or organization that provides the funding for an activity or enterprise and therefore exercises control or influence over it.

Example

"Critics argued that the politicians were merely acting on behalf of their corporate paymasters."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for paymaster

• Nearby Words

payer
paygrade
payload
paymaster
payment
payoff
payout

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 16th century as a compound of 'pay' (from Old French 'paier', meaning to appease or pay) and 'master' (from Latin 'magister', meaning chief or director).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Paymaster. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/paymaster
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