payer

American  

[pey-er] / ˈpeɪ ər /

noun

1. a person who pays.

2. the person named in a bill or note who has to pay the holder.

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payer British  

/ ˈpeɪə /

noun

1. a person who pays

2. the person named in a commercial paper as responsible for its payment on redemption

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Etymology

Origin of payer

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at pay ¹, -er ¹

Compare meaning

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

• payer vs. payee

Example Sentences

That nine-month period cost the tax payer £600m, while the current government supervision regime has cost nearly £400m.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Medicaid is the main payer for nursing homes.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

Another longtime dividend payer in the household product group is Procter & Gamble, which yields 2.6% and is also a Dividend Aristocrat.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

But the merged company will now need all the cash flow it can muster to service a substantial debt load, so it is unlikely to fully turn away from the biggest payer in town.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026

As a payer, all you have to do is to provide your name, your e-mail address, your credit card information, and your billing address for your credit card.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman