pay1

verb (past and past participle paid)

• 1 [with object] give (someone) money that is due for work done, goods received, or a debt incurred: [with object and infinitive]:he paid the locals to pick his coffee beans [no object]:TV licenses can be paid for by direct debit
• give (a sum of money) in exchange for goods or work done or in discharge of a debt:he paid $1,000 to have it built in 1977 [with two objects]:a museum paid him a four-figure sum for it
• hand over or transfer the amount due of (a debt, wages, etc.) to someone:bonuses were paid to savers whose policies completed their full term
• (of work, an investment, etc.) yield or provide someone with (a specified sum of money):jobs that pay $5 or $6 an hour
• [no object] (of a business or undertaking, or an attitude) be profitable or advantageous to someone:crime doesn’t pay [with infinitive]:it pays to choose varieties carefully

• 2 [no object] suffer a loss or other misfortune as a consequence of an action:the destroyer responsible for these atrocities would have to pay with his life
• [with object] give what is due or deserved to (someone); reward or punish.

• 3 [with two objects] give or bestow (attention, respect, or a compliment) on (someone):no one paid them any attention
• make (a visit or a call) to (someone):she has been prevailed upon to pay us a visit

noun

• the money paid to someone for regular work:those working on contract may receive higher rates of pay showing up and collecting your pay