plural pairs or pair
1
a(1)
: two corresponding things designed for use together
a pair of shoes
(2)
: two corresponding bodily parts or members
a pair of hands
b
: something made up of two corresponding pieces
a pair of trousers
2
a
: two similar or associated things: such as
(1)
: two mated animals
(2)
: a couple in love, engaged, or married
were a devoted pair
(3)
: two playing cards of the same value or denomination and especially of the same rank
(4)
: two horses harnessed side by side
(5)
: two members of a deliberative body that agree not to vote on a specific issue during a time agreed on
also
: an agreement not to vote made by the two members
b
: a partnership especially of two players in a contest against another partnership
3
chiefly dialectal
: a set or series of small objects (such as beads)
paired; pairing; pairs
1
a
: to make a pair of
—often used with off or up
paired off the animals
b
: to cause to be a member of a pair
c
: to arrange a voting pair between
2
: to arrange in pairs
3
: to establish a connection between (a set of networked devices or systems) or from (a networked device or system)
The Windows app will then walk you through a few steps to pair your phone and PC.—
Jared Newman
Jared NewmanAfter the reset, you will need to pair your watch to your phone once more.—Andy Walker
Andy WalkerBut pairing your phone with your car can be a nightmare sometimes. How and whether you can make it work primarily depends on the smartphone's operating system and the vehicle's technical capabilities.—Claudius Lüder
Claudius Lüder1
: to constitute a member of a pair
a sock that didn't pair
2
a
: to become associated with another
—often used with off or up
paired up with an old friend
b
: to become grouped or separated into pairs
—often used with off
paired off for the next dance
Examples of pair in a Sentence
Noun
He blushed when he saw all three pairs of eyes watching him.
She won with a pair of aces.
I got my first pair of glasses when I was eight.
His two closest friends lived in the city and the pair of them visited him often.
The dance is usually performed by a male and female pair.
Those two kids make quite a pair.
Verb
The teacher paired students with partners for the assignment.
Recent Examples on the WebKyle Melnick, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
After watching Ohtani swing a cricket bat during a rain delay Sunday, then return to the field and collect a pair of extra-base hits when the game resumed, Outman decided to do the same Monday.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Along with wearing the colors of the fourth hour of Today, the Empire State Building also paid homage to the pair’s accomplishment and lit the building with pink and purple lights on the evening of Monday, April 8.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
Candace is pictured in a pair of Nike Air Jordans, her long platinum hair stark against her black shirt.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
In Indianapolis, officials at the city’s zoo plan to distribute as many as 10,000 pairs of eclipse glasses to visitors and have ensured that the zoo’s automatic lights will not turn on when the sky darkens.
—Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
This campaign is filled with vibrance in hues of orange with Richardson wearing a pair of crisp white AirMaxes that are runner-ready.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
It’s recommended to hold a pair of eclipse glasses over the camera lens.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
The pair dated in 2011 before welcoming their son, Sire, in 2012, but broke up shortly after.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2024
Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 10 Apr. 2024
The hard pass is especially effective when paired with a refusal to look up from your phone or a disdainful loogie hock.
—Evan Waite, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024
So, the Lunchables described in the article would need to be paired with fruit, vegetables and milk.
—Parija Kavilanz and Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Take a page out of the Duchess’ stylebook by pairing them with a breezy sundress, or try styling them with jeans or shorts for a more casual look.
—Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
To fit that mold, Silverman dyed her hair blonde, and started to pair restriction with intense exercise to lose weight.
—Audrey Richardson and Aurora Sousanis, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
The $79 billion legislation pairs an expansion to the child tax credit — a major priority for President Biden and Democrats that nonpartisan estimates say would lift 400,000 children out of poverty — with business tax incentives initially authorized in 2017 under President Donald Trump.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
The addition of cheese and caramelized onions paired well with the slightly sweet burger sauce.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 29 Mar. 2024
The movie wonderfully pairs Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps, as childhood friends turned high-school and college sweethearts, chasing each other as well as their own dreams of basketball stardom.
—The New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
Moriarty kept posting updates on Facebook and bought 130 pairs of eclipse glasses.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
After watching Ohtani swing a cricket bat during a rain delay Sunday, then return to the field and collect a pair of extra-base hits when the game resumed, Outman decided to do the same Monday.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Along with wearing the colors of the fourth hour of Today, the Empire State Building also paid homage to the pair’s accomplishment and lit the building with pink and purple lights on the evening of Monday, April 8.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
Candace is pictured in a pair of Nike Air Jordans, her long platinum hair stark against her black shirt.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
In Indianapolis, officials at the city’s zoo plan to distribute as many as 10,000 pairs of eclipse glasses to visitors and have ensured that the zoo’s automatic lights will not turn on when the sky darkens.
—Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
This campaign is filled with vibrance in hues of orange with Richardson wearing a pair of crisp white AirMaxes that are runner-ready.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
It’s recommended to hold a pair of eclipse glasses over the camera lens.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
The pair dated in 2011 before welcoming their son, Sire, in 2012, but broke up shortly after.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
Editor's Tip: To double down on your dark spot-reducing skin-care routine, Paula's Choice recommends pairing this serum with the antioxidant-rich C5 Super Boost Moisturizer.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 10 Apr. 2024
The hard pass is especially effective when paired with a refusal to look up from your phone or a disdainful loogie hock.
—Evan Waite, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024
So, the Lunchables described in the article would need to be paired with fruit, vegetables and milk.
—Parija Kavilanz and Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Take a page out of the Duchess’ stylebook by pairing them with a breezy sundress, or try styling them with jeans or shorts for a more casual look.
—Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
To fit that mold, Silverman dyed her hair blonde, and started to pair restriction with intense exercise to lose weight.
—Audrey Richardson and Aurora Sousanis, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
The $79 billion legislation pairs an expansion to the child tax credit — a major priority for President Biden and Democrats that nonpartisan estimates say would lift 400,000 children out of poverty — with business tax incentives initially authorized in 2017 under President Donald Trump.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
The addition of cheese and caramelized onions paired well with the slightly sweet burger sauce.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 29 Mar. 2024
The movie wonderfully pairs Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps, as childhood friends turned high-school and college sweethearts, chasing each other as well as their own dreams of basketball stardom.
—The New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pair.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English paire, from Anglo-French, from Latin paria equal things, from neuter plural of par equal
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb
1578, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of pair was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing pair
Articles Related to pair
Dictionary Entries Near pair
Cite this Entry
“Pair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pair. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
pair
1 of 2 noun
ˈpa(ə)r 
ˈpe(ə)r
plural pairs also pair
1
: two things that match or are meant to be used together
a pair of hands
a pair of gloves
2
: a thing having two connected matching parts
a pair of scissors
3
: a set of two like or associated things
pair
2 of 2 verb1
: to make a pair of or arrange in pairs
paired off the animals
2
: to form a pair or pairs
paired off for the next dance
More from Merriam-Webster on pair
Nglish: Translation of pair for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of pair for Arabic Speakers
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