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

• bar
• barometer
• benchmark
• criterion
• gold standard
• grade
• mark
• measure
• metric
• standard
• touchstone
• yardstick

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

My other organ systems were about on par with my age, though my brain is apparently 35.06 years old. —David Oliver, USA TODAY, 4 Dec. 2024

Roth considers the horror community on par with the comic book world — and thinks about their overlap a lot. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Nov. 2024

Verb

Tiger Woods resumes second round, pars first two holes to remain at 2-over Woods got through 12 holes during Friday's round and started early on Saturday trying to stay above the cut line. —Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2023

Rahm rebounded from the episode to par the final hole for his first Masters win. —Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2023

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

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