par

1 of 2

noun

ˈpär 

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.

Synonyms

Noun

• standard
• criterion
• benchmark

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

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

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

Phrases Containing par

• above par
• below par
• no-par
• no-par-value
• on (a) par with
• par excellence
• par value
• sub-par
• under par
• up to par

Rhymes for par

• ar
• are
• bar
• barr
• car
• carr
• char
• charr
• czar
• far
• farre
• haar

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

ˈpär 

: a usual standard of physical condition or health

his insulin production … is not up to par

—P. G. Donohue

Legal Definition

par

1 of 2 noun

ˈpär 

: 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

: participating

Etymology

Noun

Latin, one that is equal, from par equal