payee

American  

[pey-ee] / peɪˈi /

noun

1. a person to whom a check, money, etc., is payable.

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payee British  

/ peɪˈiː /

noun

1. the person to whom a cheque, money order, etc, is made out

2. a person to whom money is paid or due

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Etymology

Origin of payee

First recorded in 1750–60; pay ¹ + -ee

Compare meaning

How does payee compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• payer vs. payee

Explanation

A payee is someone who receives money. If your boss hands you your first paycheck, then you are officially a payee. Congrats. Anyone who is paid is a payee, but the term is most commonly used to mean the person (or organization) whose name is written on a check after the words "pay to the order of." If you write a check to pay your cable bill, the cable company is the payee. And if they make a billing mistake and issue you a refund check, you're the payee. Payee uses the suffix -ee, which means "recipient."

Example Sentences

Sometimes foreign companies will withhold local taxes from dividends before sending them to a U.S. payee.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

As a taxpayer, a Social Security payee, and someone who appreciates efficiency and good government, I am grateful to them.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 28, 2025

Additionally, it must disclose the specific amount or percentage of the main participant or account holder’s retirement benefits that will be paid out to the alternate payee.

From Salon • Dec. 29, 2024

But what happens if the payee cannot accept electronic payments?

From New York Times • Jan. 7, 2024

At the time of the note's issue—that is, when signed and delivered—two parties are connected with it, the maker and the payee.

From Up To Date Business Home Study Circle Library Series (Volume II.) by Eaton, Seymour

Related Words

• heir
• recipient