pane

noun

: a piece, section, or side of something: such as
a
: a framed sheet of glass in a window or door
frost on a window pane
b
: one of the sections into which a sheet of postage stamps is cut for distribution
paned adjective
paneless adjective

Examples of pane 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.
The floating center console creates handbag storage and an available dual pane sunroof floods the cabin with light. Scotty Reiss, Parents, 24 Feb. 2026 The photograph through the cross panes of Patrick’s window showed an unnamed doctor—Hughes—in scrubs and a white mask, head bowed, looking down at what was the baby’s incubator, though all that was visible on the cover was a fuzzy black smear in the lower-right corner. Steven Levingston, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026 Instead, opt for double-pane, vinyl windows. Jessica Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026 Cover Windows Cold air seeps right through drafty windows, especially the single-pane ones. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pane

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pane, pan, payne, peyne "panel of an ornamental hanging or a curtain, side of a building, section of a wall, windowpane," borrowed from Anglo-French pan, pane "piece of cloth, tail of a shirt, skirt of a coat, parcel, stretch, territory" (also continental Old & Middle French), going back to Latin pannus "piece of cloth, rag" — more at vane

Note: Homonymous with Middle English pane in these senses is pane "cloak, mantle, fur lining or trim of a garment, rich fur or fabric," borrowed from Anglo-French and Old French penne, panne in these senses. Middle English Dictionary groups these with all the other senses of panne, but the Oxford English Dictionary and Anglo-Norman Dictionary treat them separately, as descended from Latin pinna "feather" (see pen entry 3), reflecting a calque of Old High German fedara, meaning both "feather" and "article made of fur" (or a cognate Germanic form).

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pane. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

pane

noun
1
: a piece, section, or side of something (as a sheet of glass in a window)
2
: one of the sections (as of 50 or 100 stamps) into which a sheet of postage stamps is divided

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