frying pan

noun

: a metal pan with a handle that is used for frying foods

called also fry pan

Phrases
out of the frying pan into the fire
: clear of one difficulty only to fall into a greater one

Examples of frying pan 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.
That would be akin to getting out of the frying pan and landing in the fire. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025 Items that rose in price at Walmart over the summer included a frying pan, a pair of jeans and a car seat. Melissa Repko, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025 Heat about two inches of avocado oil in a frying pan. Ashia Aubourg, Outside, 16 Aug. 2025 When a scarf was waved from the prison door to indicate that the execution had been completed, the crowd cheered, banging on frying pans and setting off fireworks. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for frying pan

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of frying pan was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frying pan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frying%20pan. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

frying pan

noun
: a metal pan with a handle for frying foods

More from Merriam-Webster on frying pan

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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