payday
UK: ˈpeɪdeɪ | US: ˈpeɪdeɪ
n. the day on which wages or salaries are paid
n. (informal) a day of financial reward or success
The word "payday" is a straightforward compound of "pay" (from Old French paier, meaning "to satisfy a debt," ultimately from Latin pacare, "to pacify or settle") and "day" (from Old English dæg, meaning "a 24-hour period"). The term emerged in the early 19th century, reflecting the practical need to designate a specific day for wage distribution. Its logic is transparent: a "day" dedicated to "pay."
Employees eagerly await payday at the end of each month.
Winning the lottery felt like an unexpected payday.
The company moved its payday from Friday to Wednesday.
She budgeted carefully to stretch her money until the next payday.
For freelancers, payday depends on when clients submit payments.