pallet

1 of 2

noun (1)

pal·​let ˈpa-lət 

1

: a portable platform for handling, storing, or moving materials and packages (as in warehouses, factories, or vehicles)

2

: a wooden flat-bladed instrument

3

: a lever or surface in a timepiece that receives an impulse from the escapement wheel and imparts motion to a balance or pendulum

pallet

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: a straw-filled tick or mattress

2

: a small, hard, or temporary bed

Examples of pallet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cabras said about 5 pallets worth of food were damaged from water, as well as damage to ceiling tiles, light fixtures, computer systems, plus boxes and bags storing food and clothes. —Emma George-Griffin, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025

In the 1980s, 16-20 feet of clearance worked just fine when distribution was more about floor stacking and hand-moving pallets. —Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025

In various hospitals, families can be seen crowded next to narrow hospital beds, or sick children rest on pallets on the floor. —Brian Simpson, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025

Instead, pallets would arrive at Breakstone’s apartment and her parents’ house. —Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle French palette, literally, small shovel — more at palette

Noun (2)

Middle English paillet, from Anglo-French paillete bundle of straw, from paille straw, from Latin palea chaff, straw; akin to Sanskrit palāva chaff

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pallet

• alate
• ballot
• fallot
• mallet
• palate
• palette
• shallot

Kids Definition

pallet

noun

pal·​let

ˈpal-ət

1

: a straw-filled mattress

2

: a small, hard, or temporary bed