paywall

noun

pay·​wall ˈpā-ˌwȯl How to pronounce paywall (audio)
: a system that prevents Internet users from accessing certain web content without a paid subscription

Examples of paywall in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But according to research by the Exit Planning Institute (paywall), up to 80% of most business owners’ wealth is locked up in their company. — Hanneke Antonelli, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 To date, the vast majority of original content produced for streaming platforms has debuted and sat behind a paywall. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026 There is no paywall preventing access, no login or account required. — Katrina Stack, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026 For Amazon Prime Video, this adds to the Thursday Night Football deal with the NFL, which also airs for free with ads, and Amazon has also made other concerts available on streaming behind the paywall. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paywall

Word History

Etymology

pay entry 1 + firewall

First Known Use

2004, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paywall was in 2004

Rhymes for paywall

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Browse Nearby Words

pay up
paywall
pay with one's life
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paywall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paywall. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

paywall

noun
pay·​wall ˈpā-ˌwȯl How to pronounce paywall (audio)
: a system that prevents Internet users from accessing certain Web content without a paid subscription
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