pay definition

1. give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
• examples: I paid four dollars for this sandwich
• examples: Pay the waitress, please
2. cancel or discharge a debt
• examples: pay up, please!
3. do or give something to somebody in return
• examples: Does she pay you for the work you are doing?
4. be worth it
• examples: It pays to go through the trouble
5. render
• examples: pay a visit
• examples: pay a call
6. bear (a cost or penalty), in recompense for some action
• examples: You'll pay for this!
• examples: She had to pay the penalty for speaking out rashly
• examples: You'll pay for this opinion later
7. make a compensation for
• examples: a favor that cannot be paid back
8. discharge or settle
• examples: pay a debt
• examples: pay an obligation