par

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: the established value of the monetary unit of one country expressed in terms of the monetary unit of another country using the same metal as the standard of value
b
: the face amount of an instrument of value (such as a check or note): such as
(1)
: the monetary value assigned to each share of stock in the charter of a corporation
(2)
: the principal of a bond
2
: common level : equality
usually used with on
judged the recording to be on a par with previous ones
3
a
: an amount taken as an average or norm
b
: an accepted standard
specifically : a usual standard of physical condition or health
wasn't feeling up to par today
4
: the score standard for each hole of a golf course
The 18th hole is a par 5.
also : a score equal to par
par adjective

par

2 of 2

verb

parred; parring

transitive verb

: to score par on (a hole)
Phrases
par for the course
: not unusual : normal
It's par for the course that she's late to the meeting.

Examples of par in a Sentence

Noun He made par on the ninth hole. She finished the 18th hole three strokes under par. He made a par on the ninth hole. She made nine pars in a row.
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.
Noun
From the mischievous twins to the infamous Meredith Blake, these design styles are on par with their respective characters. Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025 In 2016, the Divas branding was done away with and the accompanying championship was retired, replaced by a proper women’s title with a design on par with the men’s (there are now 10 women’s championships across WWE and its developmental brands). Scarlett Harris, Time, 12 July 2025
Verb
As the sun broke through the early haze on the relatively tree-less Oakmont course around midday, Burns stayed cool to par his last five holes. Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 13 June 2025 Both players once again laid up and were each lucky to even par the hole. Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for par

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Latin, one that is equal, from par equal

First Known Use

Noun

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of par was in 1601

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Par.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/par. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

par

noun
ˈpär
1
a
: the fixed value of the unit of money of one country expressed in terms of the unit of money of another country
b
: the face value or issuing price of a stock or bond
2
: common level : equality
3
: an accepted standard (as of health)
not feeling up to par
4
: the standard score for a golf hole or course
par adjective
Etymology

Noun

from Latin par (noun) "one that is equal," from par (adjective) "equal" — related to compare, pair, peer, umpire see Word History at umpire

Medical Definition

par

noun
: a usual standard of physical condition or health
his insulin production … is not up to parP. G. Donohue

Legal Definition

par

1 of 2 noun
: the face amount of an instrument of value (as a check or note): as
a
: the monetary value assigned to each share of stock in the charter of a corporation
b
: the principal of a bond

par

2 of 2 adjective
Etymology

Noun

Latin, one that is equal, from par equal

More from Merriam-Webster on par

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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