pail

noun

ˈpāl 

1

: a usually cylindrical container with a handle : bucket

a milk pail

2

: the quantity that a pail contains

a pail of water

pailful

ˈpāl-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Synonyms

• bucket

Examples of pail in a Sentence

A plastic beach pail was lying on the sand.

She poured a pail of water on the campfire.

Recent Examples on the Web

When were the first McDonald's Boo Buckets sold? McDonald’s introduced the pails as part of the Halloween Pumpkin Happy Meal in 1986 with three pumpkin designs, all in orange. —Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Oct. 2024

This year, the pails come in a new color, blue, replacing last year's purple color. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024

Ditch the plastic Halloween pail for a wicker basket, household bucket or pillowcase to carry the sweet stash. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024

Boo Buckets are back with Happy Meals at McDonald’s restaurants today; and the popular Halloween trick-or-treat pail giveaways are already being listed for sale on eBay. —Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English payle, paille

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pail

• slop pail

Kids Definition

pail

noun

ˈpā(ə)l 

1

: a round container that is open at the top and has a handle : bucket

2

: the quantity held by a pail

fetch a pail of water