pay or play

noun

A kind of contract ensuring that an actor, director, etc. is paid even if their work is ultimately not used.

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Meanings

nounpay or play (uncountable)
  1. attributiveoftenuncountablebroadcastingA kind of contract ensuring that an actor, director, etc. is paid even if their work is ultimately not used.
Cite this entry
APA

pay or play. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pay%20or%20play

MLA

“pay or play.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pay%20or%20play. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “pay or play,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pay%20or%20play.

Source: pay or play on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.