VOOZH about

URL: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pan

⇱ PAN Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Definition
    • To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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 sense 1a
also : bowl sense 3b
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
4
slang : face
5
: a harsh criticism

pan

2 of 9

verb (1)

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 β€”usually used with out
1
: a betel leaf
2
: a masticatory of betel nut, mineral lime, and pan
1
: the process of panning a movie or video camera
2
: a shot in which the camera is panned
panned; panning

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1
: to pan a movie or video camera
2
of a camera : to undergo panning
: 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.

Pan

7 of 9

abbreviation (1)

Panama

PAN

8 of 9

abbreviation (2)

peroxyacetyl nitrate

pan-

9 of 9

combining form

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

Synonyms of pan

Examples of pan in a Sentence

Noun (1) hey, I could do without seeing your ugly pan for a few days Verb (1) virtually all the movie critics have panned this latest sequel in a tired series
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
The pan is wide and shallow enough to fit a large portion of veg, and its ceramic nonstick coating makes for easy cleanup. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026 The sausage adds a bit of heat, while the peppers and pan sauce bring a light tang that keeps the dish from feeling too heavy. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Evan Moore april 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
The series was largely panned by critics and fans alike, though a significant portion of viewers found delight in hate-watching. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2026 The person filming then pans to the left to show a second helicopter, which the men continue to shoot at. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Max Burman, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
Don’t touch that hot pan or step on that Lego piece. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025 Plastic Lids And Containers Some cookie sheets and baking pans come with a convenient, plastic lid for transporting to parties and potlucks. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pan

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Hindi & Urdu pān, from Sanskrit parαΉ‡a wing, leaf β€” more at fern

Noun (3)

short for panorama

Noun (4)

Latin, from Greek

Combining form

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1832, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

circa 1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1913, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (4)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pan was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing pan

Rhymes for pan

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œPan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pan. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
a
: a usually broad, shallow, and open container for cooking
b
: something resembling a pan
2
: a basin or depression in the earth
a salt pan

pan

2 of 3 verb
panned; panning
1
: to wash earthy material in a pan to concentrate bits of metal
pan for gold
2
: to yield precious metal in panning
3
: to criticize severely

pan

3 of 3 verb
panned; panning
: to move a motion-picture or television camera so as to keep a moving object in view or to scan a scene
Etymology

Noun

Old English panne "pan for cooking," derived from Latin patina (same meaning)

Verb

from earlier pan "the process of panning," short for panorama

Medical Definition

: a genus of anthropoid apes containing the chimpanzee

PAN

2 of 2 abbreviation
peroxyacetyl nitrate

More from Merriam-Webster on pan

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchβ€”ad free!

Merriam-Webster unabridged

More from Merriam-Webster