pair

A1
Pronunciation
/pɛə(ɹ)/
/pɛɹ/
Noun
14 definition(s)
1 Definition

Two similar or identical things taken together; often followed by of.

Example Sentences
  • I couldn't decide which of the pair of designer shirts I preferred, so I bought the pair.
2 Definition

Two people in a relationship, partnership or friendship.

Example Sentences
  • Spouses should make a great pair.
3 Definition

Used with binary nouns (often in the plural to indicate multiple instances, since such nouns are plural only, except in some technical contexts)

Example Sentences
  • a pair of scissors; two pairs of spectacles; several pairs of jeans
4 Definition

A couple of working animals attached to work together, as by a yoke.

Example Sentences
  • A pair is harder to drive than two mounts with separate riders.
5 Definition

A poker hand that contains two cards of identical rank, which cannot also count as a better hand.

6 Definition

A score of zero runs (a duck) in both innings of a two-innings match.

Synonyms
pair of spectacles spectacles
7 Definition

A double play, two outs recorded in one play.

Example Sentences
  • They turned a pair to end the fifth.
8 Definition

A doubleheader, two games played on the same day between the same teams

Example Sentences
  • The Pirates took a pair from the Phillies.
9 Definition

A boat for two sweep rowers.

10 Definition

A pair of breasts

Example Sentences
  • She's got a gorgeous pair.
11 Definition

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.

12 Definition

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.

Example Sentences
  • There were two pairs on the final vote.
13 Definition

A number of things resembling one another, or belonging together; a set.

14 Definition

(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.

Verb
6 definition(s)
1 Definition

To group into one or more sets of two.

Example Sentences
  • The wedding guests were paired boy/girl and groom's party/bride's party.
2 Definition

To bring two (animals, notably dogs) together for mating.

3 Definition

To engage (oneself) with another of opposite opinions not to vote on a particular question or class of questions.

4 Definition

To suit; to fit, as a counterpart.

5 Definition

To impair, to make worse.

6 Definition

To become worse, to deteriorate.