payout

[pey-out]

noun

1. an act or instance of paying, expending, or disbursing.

2. money paid, expended, or disbursed, as a dividend or winning.

   He went to the betting window to collect his payout.

verb phrase

1. 1. to distribute (money, wages, etc.); disburse.

   2. to get revenge upon for an injury; requite.

   3. to let out (a rope) by slackening.

Word History and Origins

Origin of payout¹

First recorded in 1900–05; noun use of verb phrase pay out

Example Sentences

The city reached a financial crisis point this year driven in part by increasing legal payouts, lackluster tax revenues and scheduled raises for city employees.

From Los Angeles Times

This year’s brutal labor negotiations were colored by the $4 billion settlement with officials saying the county couldn’t give significant raises to workers because of the massive payout.

From Los Angeles Times

The firm will get nearly half the payout for each client, per retainer agreements viewed by The Times.

From Los Angeles Times

In May, it was handed a £122.7m fine, the biggest ever issued by the water industry regulator, for breaching rules on sewage spills and shareholder payouts.

From BBC

When private utilities are at fault, the resulting payouts can make it easier to construct a replacement.

From Los Angeles Times