paymaster

[ pey-mas-ter, -mah-ster ]

noun

1. a person authorized by a company, government, etc., to pay out wages or salaries, especially in the military.

paymaster

/ ˈpeɪˌmɑːstə /

noun

1. an official of a government, business, etc, responsible for the payment of wages and salaries

Other Words From

• paymaster·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of paymaster¹

First recorded in 1540–50; pay ¹ + master

Example Sentences

Her job begins by collecting wholesale consignments from her anonymous paymasters, which she then weighs into smaller packages and hides around the city for their customers.

From Salon

"Labour promised change, but in 10 short weeks all they've delivered is a change of clothes for themselves. Labour have made the political choice to put themselves and their union paymasters before the most vulnerable."

From BBC

The letter from shadow paymaster general John Glen asks whether the PM or his chief of staff, the former civil servant Sue Gray, had requested the pass for Lord Alli.

From BBC

Tory shadow paymaster general John Glen MP said it was "disappointing" to see Labour "only attempting to act on their culture of cronyism after feeling the pressure in the media".

From BBC

It has led to Tory attacks that Labour has lost control of public pay and is "being played by its union paymasters".

From BBC

Related Words

• accountant
• clerk
• teller