Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - arrears

~ n plural 1 be in arrears if someone is in arrears or if their payments are in arrears, they are late in paying something that they should pay regularly, such as rent  (Teachers' pay is in arrears and the school says it can't afford to pay. | be four weeks/three months etc in arrears)  (The rent money is two months in arrears. | fall into arrears (=become late with payments)) 2 money that you owe someone because regular payments such as rent have not been paid at the right time  (We've got 3 months arrears to pay on the video.) 3 be paid in arrears to be given your wages at the end of the period you have worked  (a salary paid monthly in arrears)