pair
Looking for the meaning of pair? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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Two similar or identical things taken together; often followed by of.
“I couldn't decide which of the pair of designer shirts I preferred, so I bought the pair.”
Two people in a relationship, partnership or friendship.
“Spouses should make a great pair.”
Used with binary nouns (often in the plural to indicate multiple instances, since such nouns are plural only, except in some technical contexts)
“a pair of scissors; two pairs of spectacles; several pairs of jeans”
A couple of working animals attached to work together, as by a yoke.
“A pair is harder to drive than two mounts with separate riders.”
A poker hand that contains two cards of identical rank, which cannot also count as a better hand.
A score of zero runs (a duck) in both innings of a two-innings match.
A double play, two outs recorded in one play.
“They turned a pair to end the fifth.”
A doubleheader, two games played on the same day between the same teams
“The Pirates took a pair from the Phillies.”
A boat for two sweep rowers.
A pair of breasts
“She's got a gorgeous pair.”
The exclusion of one member of a parliamentary party from a vote, if a member of the other party is absent for important personal reasons.
Two members of opposite parties or opinion, as in a parliamentary body, who mutually agree not to vote on a given question, or on issues of a party nature during a specified time.
“There were two pairs on the final vote.”
A number of things resembling one another, or belonging together; a set.
(kinematics) In a mechanism, two elements, or bodies, which are so applied to each other as to mutually constrain relative motion; named in accordance with the motion it permits, as in turning pair, sliding pair, twisting pair.
To group into one or more sets of two.
“The wedding guests were paired boy/girl and groom's party/bride's party.”
To bring two (animals, notably dogs) together for mating.
To engage (oneself) with another of opposite opinions not to vote on a particular question or class of questions.
To suit; to fit, as a counterpart.
Understanding "pair"
The word **"pair"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **N/A**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"pair"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "pair" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "pair" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "pair" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as a standard English phoneme pattern. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "pair" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "pair" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "pair" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "pair". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (N/A), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "pair" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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Refer to the usage examples above to see how "pair" can be used in academic and casual conversations.