pan

play

noun \ ˈpan \

Definition of pan

1 a :a usually broad, shallow, and open container for domestic use (as for cooking)

b :any of various similar usually metal receptacles: such as

(1) :the hollow part of the lock in a firelock or flintlock gun that receives the priming

(2) :either of the receptacles in a pair of scales

(3) :a round shallow usually metal container for separating metal (such as gold) from waste by washing

c British :toilet 1a; also :bowl 3b

d :steel drum

2 a (1) :a natural basin or depression in land

(2) :a similar artificial basin (as for evaporating brine)

b :a drifting fragment of the flat thin ice that forms in bays or along the shore

3 :hardpan 1

4 slang :face

5 :a harsh criticism

Origin and Etymology of pan

Middle English panne, from Old English (akin to Old High German phanna pan), from Latin patina, from Greek patanē

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

pan

verb

Definition of pan

panned; panning

transitive verb

1 a :to wash in a pan for the purpose of separating heavy particles

b :to separate (a substance, such as gold) by panning

c :to place in a pan

2 :to criticize severely

the show was panned

intransitive verb

1 :to wash material (such as earth or gravel) in a pan in search of metal (such as gold)

2 :to yield precious metal in the process of panning —usually used with out

First Known Use of pan

1832

pan

play

noun \ ˈpän \

Definition of pan

1 :a betel leaf

2 :a masticatory of betel nut, mineral lime, and pan

Origin and Etymology of pan

Hindi & Urdu pān, from Sanskrit parṇa wing, leaf — more at fern

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1616

See Words from the same year

pan

play

noun \ ˈpan \

Definition of pan

1 :the process of panning a motion-picture or video camera

2 :a shot in which the camera is panned

Origin and Etymology of pan

short for panorama

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1922

See Words from the same year

pan

play

verb \ ˈpan \

Definition of pan

panned; panning

transitive verb

:to rotate (a camera, such as a motion-picture camera) so as to keep an object in the picture or secure a panoramic effect

intransitive verb

1 :to pan a motion-picture or video camera

2 of a camera :to undergo panning

First Known Use of pan

1913

Pan

play

noun \ ˈpan \

Definition of Pan

:a Greek god of pastures, flocks, and shepherds usually represented as having the legs, horns, and ears of a goat

Pan is often depicted playing a panpipe.

Origin and Etymology of pan

Latin, from Greek

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

elysian, fay, muse, nimbus, phoenix

Pan

abbreviation

Definition of Pan

Panama

PAN

abbreviation

Definition of PAN

peroxyacetyl nitrate

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

pan-

combining form

Definition of pan-

1 :all :completely

panchromatic

2 a :involving all of a (specified) group or region

Pan-American

b :advocating or involving the union of a (specified) group

Pan-Slavism

3 :whole :general

panleukopenia

Origin and Etymology of pan-

Greek, from pan, neuter of pant-, pas all, every; akin to Tocharian B pont- all

PAN Defined for Kids

pan

play

noun \ ˈpan \

Definition of pan for Students

1 :a usually shallow open container used for cooking

2 :a shallow open tray or container

Put the gold on the pan and we'll weigh it.

pan

verb

Definition of pan for Students

panned; panning

:to wash earthy material so as to collect bits of metal (as gold)

— pan out

:to give a good result :succeed

Medical Dictionary

Pan

play

noun \ ˈpan \

medical Definition of Pan

:a genus of anthropoid apes containing the chimpanzee

PAN

abbreviation

medical Definition of PAN

peroxyacetyl nitrate

Learn More about pan

See words that rhyme with pan Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pan Spanish Central: Translation of pan Nglish: Translation of pan for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pan for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pan

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pan? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

pan

Definition of pan

Explore Merriam-Webster

Origin and Etymology of pan

pan

Definition of pan

First Known Use of pan

pan

Definition of pan

Origin and Etymology of pan

pan

Definition of pan

Origin and Etymology of pan

pan

Definition of pan

First Known Use of pan

Pan

Definition of Pan

Origin and Etymology of pan

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

Pan

Definition of Pan

PAN

Definition of PAN

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

pan-

Definition of pan-

Origin and Etymology of pan-

Phrases Related to PAN

Related Phrases

PAN Defined for Kids

pan

Definition of pan for Students

pan

Definition of pan for Students

Medical Dictionary

Pan

medical Definition of Pan

PAN

medical Definition of PAN

Learn More about pan

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066