Simple Definition of par

from our Learner's Dictionary

par

noun

plural pars
1
: the number of strokes a good golfer is expected to take to finish a golf hole or course
He made/scored par on the ninth hole.
She finished the 18th hole three strokes under/over par.
The 18th hole is a par 5. [=par for the 18th hole is five strokes]
a par-5 hole
He made/scored a par on the ninth hole.
She made/scored nine pars in a row.
2
business : the value of a stock or bond that is printed on the paper of the stock or bond itself or that is decided upon when the stock or bond is issued
That stock is trading (at) 16 percent above/below par.

called also par value

Cite this Entry

“Par.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/par. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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