pail

noun

ˈpāl 

1

: a usually cylindrical container with a handle : bucket

a milk pail

2

: the quantity that a pail contains

a pail of water

pailful

ˈpāl-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Synonyms of pail

• bucket

Examples of pail in a Sentence

A plastic beach pail was lying on the sand.

She poured a pail of water on the campfire.

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, Lizzie claimed to be menstruating, which was confirmed by her family doctor, and the pail was never examined. — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Both seem like the lunch pail-type players Babcock will want to ignite early on. — Janson Duench, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

However, a pail of bloody fabric was discovered in the basement. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

At Bolsa Chica State Beach, swimmers suffering stings to the sides of their feet and toes sat in a circle refilling their pails with hot water from a hose. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English payle, paille

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pail

• slop pail

Rhymes for pail

• ail
• ale
• bail
• baile
• dail
• fail
• flail
• frail
• gael
• gail
• grail
• hail

Kids Definition

pail

noun

ˈpā(ə)l 

1

: a round container that is open at the top and has a handle : bucket

2

: the quantity held by a pail

fetch a pail of water